Special to The Star



JACKSON – The 21st annual Taste of Mississippi will bring together dozens of Mississippi chefs and fine restaurateurs to share their culinary favorites on Monday, March 30, at 7 p.m. at Highland Village. The event has been a Jackson-area favorite for two decades and was recently named a Top 20 Event for March 2009 by the Southeast Tourism Society.

This year’s Taste of Mississippi will offer samplings from more than 35 area restaurants; a live auction featuring artwork by Mississippi artists; a silent auction featuring local art, dinners and merchandise; and live music.

“We’re very fortunate that during this tough economic time, there are still many Mississippians who are willing to share with the underprivileged people in our area,” said the Rev. Frank Spencer, Executive Director of Stewpot Community Services. “This is the largest annual fundraiser for Stewpot, and we are delighted to be celebrating more than two decades of generosity from our supporters.”

Last year, Taste of Mississippi raised more than $112,000 to fight homelessness and hunger in the Jackson area.

“The money we raise through Taste of Mississippi is a critical part of our ability to perform our 17 different ministries throughout the year,” said Spencer. “We can’t say thank you enough to those who contribute.”

Tickets for this year’s event are $65 in advance and $80 at the door. Tickets can be purchased through the Taste of Mississippi website, www.tasteofms.org, or by calling Stewpot at (601) 353-2759. Individual sponsorship packages are also available this year beginning at $150.

Started in 1981 by Jackson churches and the Jewish Synagogue, Stewpot Community Services provides assistance at no charge to central Jackson residents who are in need of food, shelter, clothing, love and encouragement. Headquartered in the Central Urban Ministry Center at 1100 West Capitol Street, Stewpot has grown to encompass 17 programs and is supported through volunteers and funds by more than 100 congregations and hundreds of individuals and businesses.

In 2008, Stewpot served more than 140,000 meals to hungry people in its Jackson Stewpot Kitchen and its Meals on Wheels program, or through one of the four Stewpot shelters. More than 1,200 families and individuals were provided safe overnight shelter, and more than 6,000 were provided emergency grocery supplies through the Stewpot Food Pantry.