Cover photo courtesy of Building Bridges
On Thursday, Sept. 26th, from 6-8 PM, Building Bridges Developmental and Community Services will host a new annual fundraising event, Taste and Talent, at Bella Terra in Cabot. With a fresh new format, this event promises to bring the community together for a fun and festive evening, featuring local food, art, and a silent auction—all in support of a great cause.
For over a decade, Building Bridges has hosted a formal event, Fine Arts for Empowering Hearts, with sit-down dinners, keynote speakers, and performances by their clients. This year, however, the non-profit wanted to try something different to attract a broader audience.
“The sit-down banquet was something people were getting tired of. It was the same thing every year. We did some research and thought, ‘We’ve never had a Taste of Cabot event here, and nobody else has done one.’ So I thought, ‘That’ll be an awesome thing to try,” said Laura Haywood, Development Coordinator for Building Bridges.
Partnering with Bella Terra has been exceedingly beneficial to the cause, Haywood added. “They have been very generous working with us to have this event there,” she said. “It’s a great wedding venue that has graciously let us have our event there.”
The idea behind Taste and Talent is simple: combine delicious food with incredible art to create a unique and exciting night out. Guests will enjoy a variety of tasting menus from some of the best local restaurants, while also getting the opportunity to bid on artwork from local artists in the silent auction. All proceeds from the event will directly support Building Bridges’ clients and their families.
“We’ve reached out to several local artists who are displaying their pieces in the silent auction,” Haywood said. “We’ve also got some of our clients’ art on display. It’s a fun, festive event that showcases some of the great things about Cabot—the great restaurants and local artists.”
Photos courtesy of Building Bridges
The featured restaurants for Taste and Talent include local favorites like Squizito Tasting Room, Buckman Brewhouse, Pizza Pro, Overtime Cabot, U.S. Pizza, and Dairy Queen. From Lonoke, The Grumpy Rabbit and Taylor’s Kitchen & Catering will also be joining the event. Attendees can expect everything from olive oil and sourdough bread samples to pizza and delicious desserts.
“Buckman Brewhouse is building a new brew house in Cabot, and we’re excited to have them,” Haywood said. The organization is also partnering with Sage Tea and Treats, Kayla’s Cookies, and The Popcorn Spot to offer non-alcoholic beverages and sweet treats. “It’ll be a variety of different things,” she added.
In addition to the food, local artists will be displaying their work for auction. Pieces from well-known Arkansas artists like Steve Griffith, Vicki Hendrix, Melissa Lashbrook, and Jona Crowe will be available, along with a live painting by Cabot artist Sarah Wells. Wells, known for her murals in downtown Cabot, will create an original piece during the event, which will also be auctioned off.
“She’s going to come set up and do a live painting, and we’ll auction that off as well,” Haywood said. “I’m really excited about that.”
There will also be artwork created by Building Bridges clients, adding a personal touch. Beyond the art, attendees will have the chance to bid on a wide range of exciting auction items, including themed baskets, tickets to Branson and Hot Springs activities, a Razorback memorabilia basket, and even a signed Razorback football by Coach Sam Pittman.
All proceeds from Taste and Talent will go toward supporting Building Bridges’ clients and families, filling critical funding gaps. The non-profit provides services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, but as Haywood explained, funding doesn’t always cover everything.
“Our clients have funding, but there’s a gap between what the funding covers and what we’re able to pay, especially with costs rising over the past few years,” she said. This fundraiser will help with things like transportation for clients who don’t have funding, upgrading therapy equipment, maintaining playgrounds, and updating classroom furniture, she said.
Building Bridges also uses these funds to provide uncompensated care when clients lose their funding temporarily. “We don’t send clients home just because they’ve lost their funding,” Haywood emphasized. “We work with them.” In the meantime, Building Bridges still provides the services their clients need. This event helps them continue to do that.
Tickets for Taste and Talent are $40 per person, which includes samples from all participating restaurants, two drink tickets (for guests over 21), and access to the art displays and silent auction. Tickets can be purchased online at BuildingBridgesAR.org, or at the door on the day of the event. However, Haywood encourages attendees to buy tickets ahead of time to help restaurants prepare for the right number of guests.
“We’ve had lots of positive feedback,” Haywood said. “Everyone seems really excited about it.” It’s a great opportunity for a night out while supporting a good cause.
As Haywood and the team at Building Bridges look ahead, they hope Taste and Talent will become a signature event for the community.
“It’s not just about raising money,” Haywood said. “We want to be connected to the community and this is a great way to do that. We’re in the community, our clients are in the community, so we just want to celebrate with the community as well.”
Featured Place
Building Bridges Developmental and Community Services
207 Plaza Blvd
Cabot, Arkansas 72023
(501) 628-5580
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