The Center Puts on Glitz 7 p.m. Friday at Convention Hall
Center A La Carte benefit & Fashion Show supported by local restaurants
Foodies get ready – Friday night Convention Hall will transform into a cuisine showcase brought together in support of The Center of Asbury Park.
Be it a Hawaiian Poke from Langosta Lounge, Goulash from Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten, a pan seared fennel sausage from Moonstruck, or ceviche from Bonefish Grill, an assortment of fares will be on display to satisfy every palate.
The Putting on the Glitz fundraising event features an open bar, music, dancing, and a Runway Fashion show featuring local starlets.
Behind the benefit is a fundraising drive to support the nonprofit, established in 1992 to support the needs of people living with HIV/AIDS throughout Monmouth County.
“We knew that most of the folks were getting good treatment through Jersey Shore Medical Center but also knew that some of the supplemental services that could make a difference in their lives were lacking,” Executive Director Fr. Bob Kaeding [at right] wrote in an open letter on The Center’s website. “In addition we dreamt that The Center would be a place where people could find someone to talk to, someone to understand, someone to hug them and show them some love.”
The Center offers supplemental services that includes everything from transportation assistance, home visits, hygiene products, meals, and a pantry service, to housing subsidies, laundry vouchers, education, and support forums.
The Third Avenue and Main Street volunteer nonprofit, refurbished in 2005, has the capacity to house 25 single adults living with AIDS through its Center House, a “supportive housing” project that provides three meals a day, on-site case management, security and other methods of support to help stabilize lives.
The A La Carte event and its Red Heart Gala are but two of the fundraising initiatives held to support the facility.
In June 2015, its 10th Avenue located Center Square Thrift Shop [at right] opened in Belmar. The consignment store offers two floors of gently used clothing, shoes and gifts, with proceeds supporting the Asbury Park facility.
On May 1, its annual participation in the NJ AIDS Walk raised $32,000 for the local nonprofit, with $6,500 of it raised by the 50 member NJ MAC Cosmetics team.
“In our 25 year history, this is our largest team and the largest donation by one team,” spokeswoman Patsy Vornhagen said.
The donations help meet the monthly costs associated with running The Center. According to officials, in the first sixth months of 2011:
Over 7,000 volunteer hours made things happen
Over 983 hygiene bags were given out
$65,000 was spent to help with rent and security
$2,000 helped folks with emergency pharmaceutical help
Over $12,000 was spent to help with utility bills
Over 5,000 Frozen Meals to go were provided were provided
Over 4,000 hot lunches were served.
CENTER A LA CARTE 2016 RESTAURANTS/CATERERS
Langosta Lounge – Hawaiian Poke
Pops Garage – Mexican Esquites
Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten – Goulash
Rita’s Italian Ice
AP Culinary Education – Duck & goat cheese quesadillas w/caramelized onions and figs
Kula – Mixed Greens, mozzarella cheese, radishes, tomatoes & Black garlic dressing
Christopher’s’ Kitchen – BBQ shrimp and grits
Moonstruck – Pan seared fennel sausage, savory mushroom bread pudding, arugula salad
Buona Sera – Chicken Scarpello
Kim Maries – Irish rice balls & artichoke francaise
Johnny Pork Roll – Pork Roll sandwiches
Bonefish Grill – ceviche
Cibo e Vino – heirloom tomato bruschetta
Fish – ahi tuna poke w/crispy wantons
MOGO – Korean Fusion Tacos
Silk Catering – Roast Pork, Rice/Beans, Mac & Chees, Collar Greens, Black bean soup
Sweet Bakery – sheet cake
Yvonne’s Café – tuna nachos & scallop cakes
Chocolate Sage – chocolate confections
Taka – Cold Soba noodle salad Carlo’s Bakery – cake bites [Vanilla w/choc fudge, Chocolate w/Nutella, vanilla w/salted caramel]
Starbucks – Coffee
Wegmans – assorted desserts
The Center is located at 806 Third Ave. For tickets, to donate, or for more information, call 732-774-3416, ext. 115, email quinnpv@optonline.net, or visit thecenterinap.org.
[photos by Michael K. McElroy courtesy of The Center]
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