The Arc of Southwest Georgia’s ‘Meals with a Mission’ fundraiser returns

ALBANY – The Arc of Southwest Georgia has a mission to serve people with disabilities, and this month that mission comes served with a side of Southern flavor. 

The Arc will bring back its annual fundraiser “Meals with a Mission” on Sept. 18 at Chehaw Park’s Creekside Center from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.. The fundraiser will feature three local chefs as they face off in a Southern-themed cook-off for a good cause. 

Guests will enjoy small plates featuring each chef’s entrée and dessert, along with appetizers, music, an open bar, and a silent auction. They’ll do all this while helping raise crucial funds to renovate The Arc’s House of Hope, a property that will be transformed into a 24/7 staffed group home for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

The Arc hosted its first Meals with a Mission in 2023, introducing it as the agency’s new annual fundraiser. 

“We just wanted to do something different that hadn’t been done here before,” Jasmine Willoughby, the director of development and communications for The Arc, said. “It was a way to also get visibility on the chefs that we have in our community and help our fundraisers. So they’re giving to us by donating their time but also we’re helping them.”

The event’s three featured chefs include:

• Chris Barnes from Big Chris Catering – A community favorite, known for his bold Southern dishes and deep passion for giving back.
  
• Chef Louis Resnick from Canterbury Kitchen – Representing a local gem that’s seen a revitalization under new ownership.
  
• Phyllis Bush – A community favorite, bringing the heart and soul of Southern cooking to the table.

Willoughby said these chefs came highly recommended by the community, and all are excited to help give back to The Arc. The winner of the cook-off will serve as The Arc’s caterer for the year for any events it hosts. 

The night’s proceeds will go directly toward renovating House of Hope. Originally dedicated in 1999 by Christopher Reeve, known for the Superman role. The home was designed to support individuals with traumatic brain or spinal cord injuries. But Willloughby said the needs for people with disabilities have evolved, and the house has been underutilized.

Now, with a rising demand for group home placements, The Arc is reimagining the home to serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The new group home will offer 24/7 staffing, nursing services, and comprehensive daily care, including meals, living assistance, and community engagement.

This will be The Arc’s sixth group home. 

“We’ve been getting a lot of referrals for group homes,” Willoughby said. “However, all of ours are full right now. So since this house hasn’t been as utilized, we wanted to raise money to renovate it into a group home for people with disabilities.”

Willoughby said the space is for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, but it’s based on the type of Medicaid or now comp waiver, which tells what services individuals need.

The Arc aims to raise $50,000 to $100,000 through Meals With a Mission to fund the major renovation. In addition to ticket sales, the organization is seeking event sponsorships, silent auction donations, in-kind contributions, and general financial support.

The link to buy tickets is https://www.eventbrite.com/e/meals-with-a-mission-inclusive-kitchen-southern-gourmet-showdown-tickets-1513922335459?aff=oddtdtcreator. The link to sponsor is: https://thearcswga.org/mwm-sponsorship-form/.

Willoughby said tickets are limited.