Last week, the Evanston Lighthouse Rotary Club presented checks totaling more than $38,000 to beneficiaries of its fifth Annual Taste of Evanston. For the second consecutive year, Connections for the Homeless, serving people experiencing or threatened with homelessness, and Reba Place Development Corp., which develops affordable housing in Evanston, were selected as beneficiaries for the event, themed “Hungry for Home.”
Proceeds from the event will also be used to support the ongoing philanthropic work of the Evanston Lighthouse Rotary Club, the organizers of the annual fundraiser.
More than 500 people attended the event, where they enjoyed offerings from 40 of Evanston’s most celebrated restaurants, breweries and wine purveyors on the great lawn of the historic Charles Gates Dawes House. Chicago Sun-Times columnist Maudlyne Ihejirika emceed the event. The Charles Matthews, Jr. Trio provided live jazz music, and Jimmy Mac played rock-and-roll classics. Tours of the spectacular home of the 30th U.S. Vice President ran throughout the evening as “Tasters” dined and enjoyed views of Greenwood Street Beach and Lake Michigan.