Gendarmes Maggie McNabb and Jessica Griffin with HFC president/CEO Diana Grossi. [Photo: Kaila Jones]

Folks got a taste of “Gay Paree” last Monday evening at a C’est Paris Farm to Table(aux) fundraiser at the Walking Tree Brewery to benefit the Hope for Families Center.

During the cocktail hour, roughly 175 guests were invited to ‘eat, drink and be arty’ while viewing several interpretive “tableaux vivants” (living pictures), featuring students from the Indian River Charter High School. Two talented artists were busy creating large paintings, which were auctioned off later in the evening; a trio of can-can dancers rustled their skirts atop a long table; a young lady on a Vespa offered pieces of her crusty French baguette; and a pair of gendarmes roamed the crowd.

“We decided to do something new, something different,” said Diana Grossi, HFC CEO, noting that the event replaced their former Vero’s Top Chef fundraiser. “We rely on grants, foundations and individual donors. We don’t get any federal or state dollars, so this is one of the ways we raise money. I hope people come out and join us next year at this fun, exciting event.”

Guests wandered about sipping Tito’s vodka, wines and beers and perusing the silent- and live-auction items, while noshing on goodies from Cobalt and Costa d’Este. HFC had also prepared some hors d’oeuvres to bring home the fact that the nonprofit feeds families every day.

“When you think of the homeless, often you think of a single person standing on the corner or on the street. That’s not who we serve – we serve families. Sixty-three percent of our residents are children,” stressed Grossi. “And if we can stabilize those children, that’s what’s important.”

Many guests also purchased raffle tickets in hopes of winning the prize hidden inside a Mystère box – later revealed to be a ‘Slice of Chicago’ with airfare, hotel and even a Chicago Pizza tour.

Hamp Elliott emceed the evening, which included a rousing performance by can-can dancers Jenna Smith, Chelsea Campbell and Chiara Parrotta, and a French-inspired dinner, prepared by Chef Michael Lander of Michael’s on Seventh and served at colorful, long tables set up against a backdrop of La Tour Eiffel.

The Hope for Families Center provides safety and security to 21 vulnerable families with children under age 18 who find themselves without shelter. It offers the resources needed to get people back on their feet so they can provide for themselves in the long term. Residents work with case managers to develop budgets and sustainable savings structures, and are given assistance in parenting, job placement, legal guidance and domestic violence empowerment.

“Adult clients must pass a background check and drug test,” said Grossi. “We focus on financial literacy, budgeting and saving for the future. Our case managers aim to equip each resident with the tools, skills and services they need to better serve themselves and their family. We believe that by educating our residents now, we are providing the skill set necessary to empower themselves for the future.”

Since July, she said, HFC has served 211 clients, including 131 children, and since July 2019 has placed 60 percent of their families in sustainable, permanent housing.

For more information, visit hopeforfamiliescenter.org.