Pathways PalooZa raises $23K for foodshelf
From left, volunteers at Pathways Palooza included Laura Brady, Michelle Martin, Sara McKay, Kelsey Reeve, Dyann Reinhard, and Sharon Gaulrepp. Brady, Martin, and Reeve represented Spherion Owatonna, a staffing and recruiting firm. Staff photo by Joni Hubred
Just a few hours into this year’s Pathways PalooZa fundraiser, Community Pathways of Steele County director Dom Korbel was already raving about the turnout.
“We started slow, but things really got going around 4:30, and it continued to pick up,” he said.
Over the course of Friday evening, more than 250 people showed up for the fundraiser held at the Steele County fairgrounds beer garden. The event included music by singer Melissa Schulz, a silent auction and raffle, and food from Old Town Bagels, Foremost Brewing Cooperative, and Godfather’s Pizza.
Guests also sampled the annual craft beer offering from Foremost and Mineral Springs Brewery, the signature Pathways Pilsner.
Three volunteers from Spherion, a staffing and recruiting firm, worked behind the counter serving up the Pilsner and other beverages. Owner Laura Brady said the franchise organization stresses giving back to the community–and Pathways PalooZa was a great fit.
“Community Pathways supports people we also support by helping them find employment,” she said. “This is a nice way to give back.”
New this year, guests submitted their silent auction bids online–and winners of the items and the cash raffle did not have to be present to win. Items included a “Day at the (Steele County Free) Fair” experience, bicycles and other sports items, art, jewelry, and baskets themed with entertainment, food, wine, and wellness items.
In all, guests raised more than $23,000. Funds will help stock the food shelves at Community Pathways, which is serving a record number of Steele County residents experiencing food insecurity.
The nonprofit has joined this year’s “Open Your Heart” summer challenge through Hunger Solutions, which tackles the problem of food insecurity on a state-wide level. Funds raised during Pathways PalooZa and through the month of July make the organization eligible for additional grant funds.
But money wasn’t the only point of last week’s fundraiser.
“This is about sharing what we do with the people who support us,” Korbel said. “I am humbled by the number of people who believe in what we do and turn out to show it.”