After partnering for years with other groups, Food Finders Food Bank is organizing its own fundraiser. However, Executive Director Katy Bunder says the inaugural Blue Jean Ball is about more than just bringing in donations.
She says in the 16 west central Indiana counties Food Finders serves, roughly one in six people is food insecure.
“And that means they don’t always know where their next meal is coming from. It also means they don’t have access to healthy, nutritious food.”
Bison Financial Group is the presenting sponsor. President and C.E.O. Dave Vorbeck says a large percentage of those who are hungry in our area are children.
“And we ask ourselves – why do we have all these problems with academic success or academic underachievement?” he says. “And why do we have other emergent hunger issues, crime and community issues? It’s because too many of our neighbors aren’t fed and are hungry.”
Along with Bison Financial Group, Purdue’s College of Agriculture is partnering on the event, which will be held at the college’s Beck Agricultural Center in West Lafayette.
Associate Dean Karen Plaut says it was a natural fit for the college to get involved.
“It’s an opportunity for the College of Ag to make a difference locally, as well as in our other efforts nationally and globally. So, we’re really excited about that.”
The May 18th ball includes dinner, music and auctions. Single and group tickets go on sale Monday, March 18 HERE.