MUSCATINE, Iowa–Eight years ago, as wine tasting events grew in popularity, the Muscatine Community Y took the bold step of bringing one to Muscatine as a way to support their programs for youth and teens. They designed an evening of fine dining featuring some of Muscatine’s best food and drink offerings. An instant success, Dining for a Cause has grown into one of the Y’s best loved fundraisers. This week, Dining for a Cause will return, featuring not one but three of Muscatine’s favorite restaurants, giving adult diners an evening of unforgettable cuisine.
April 23 Dining for a Cause attendees will gather at Pr%f Social (at 208 West Second Street in Muscatine) at 6:30 p.m. Once there, they will enjoy a five-course meal. Each course will also include a carefully selected glass of wine or cocktail to go with it, giving diners an opportunity to learn a little about how to successfully pair different drinks and food together. An evening of gustatory pleasures, Character Development Director Amy Hessel believes the meal will have something to appeal to everyone. “The menu has a variety of flavors and textures, with soups, salads, and main course entrees,” she observed. “Boonies, Skinny’s, and Pr%f Social’s Wine Bars are ready to give those attending a great treat.”
To complement their meal, those in attendance my purchase raffle tickets and bid on silent auction items as well. Guests will also have plenty of time to socialize with new and old friends alike throughout the night. “It always amazes me how the groups of two to six people can gather in a rather cozy area and mesh or gel together for the evening, laughing, chatting, and enjoying the company in the room,” Hessel shared.
A prime opportunity to have a high class dinner, people who participate in Dining for a Cause can also feel good about where the proceeds of the event go. Each year, the fundraiser allows the Y to continue offering its youth and teen programing, such as the Kids’ Club before and afterschool program, special activities for children in junior high school, and sports teams for kids of various ages. More than just ways to keep kids busy, Hessel emphasized that each helps children build the character and life skills they will need to succeed in all their adult endeavors.
Always a well-attended event, Hessel encourages people interested in having a refined meal for a great cause to purchase their tickets at their earliest convenience. People may purchase tickets online or by stopping into the Muscatine Community Y at 1823 Logan Street in Muscatine during their open hours.
Those who cannot attend Dining for a Cause can still support the event by donating to its raffle and silent auction. Hessel encourages anyone willing to contribute scratch off lottery tickets, gift certificates to local businesses and restaurants, and auction baskets from their workplace or containing hand crafted items to contact her at 563-263-9996.
Whether you would like to assist Dining for a Cause by donating items or by coming out in person, Hessel invites everyone to lend a hand to keep the Y’s programing available to local children and teens. “I want people to give this event a try because I believe in the cause,” she emphasized. “I have a been with the Y for 22 years; I love what I do, and I believe in the work we do to support youth in Muscatine.”