The Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) welcomed two leading culinary leaders to headline three fundraising events raising nearly $500,000 in support of VNA’s programs, Meals on Wheels and Hospice Care.

Chef Chris Williams, Founder/Owner of Lucille’s Hospitality Group, delighted nearly 200 guests with cocktails and delicious bites created from recipes inspired by his Houston restaurant, Lucille’s, and prepared by The Food Company. Guests arrived at the VNA Haggerty Kitchen for a tour through VNA’s commercial kitchen and enjoyed the cocktail event on the patio.  Chef Williams shared more about his passion for his most recent endeavor — the nonprofit he founded, Lucille’s 1913 — which works to combat food insecurity and waste; creates training and employment opportunities in traditionally under-resourced neighborhoods; and empowers communities to discover a self-sustainable livelihood through food. To date, Chef Williams and the Lucille’s 1913 team have provided more than 350,000 meals to Houstonians in need since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Event Co-Chairs, Jordan and Marty Brainerd and Katherine and Ken Bullock, provided leadership and vision for this spring-inspired event held on the evening of Thursday, March 24, 2022.

Award-winning food journalist and cookbook author, Toni Tipton-Martin served as the celebrity guest for the 12th Annual Celebrity Chef luncheon and dinner held on March 30, 2022. Co-Chairs of the event, Kersten Rettig and Clark Knippers, welcomed 250 guests during the day’s festivities.

Kersten also served as emcee sharing stories alongside Ms. Tipton-Martin as she shared her vision and passion for African American culinary heritage.  Guests enjoyed a gourmet, four-course feast prepared and served by The Food Company utilizing recipes from Ms. Tipton-Martin’s latest book, Jubilee: Recipes From Two Centuries of African American Cooking, which brings to life 125 dishes from the African American cookbooks in her rare collection through breath-taking photography and engaging storytelling. Jubilee is a James Beard Award winner, earned the IACP (International Association of Culinary Professionals) Book of the Year Award, and was named one of the “Cookbooks You Need for 2020” by The New York Times. Guests received a copy of Jubilee as a parting gift and thanks for generous support of VNA.

The Wills Family was honored at the event for their many years of generous financial support and volunteer commitment to the VNA mission.  Paula and Charles Wills represented the family at the luncheon.

Celebrity Chef Dinner Photo Gallery

Celebrity Chef Lunch Photo Gallery

Cocktails in The Kitchen Photo Gallery

Host Kersten Rettig visits with geriatric specialist, Kate Taylor, DNP, FNP-C, CPPS, about how patients and families can navigate the often confusing, stressful time after receiving a terminal diagnosis. You’ll hear advice from bucket lists, to communicating with family and caregivers, and how to prepare emotionally and logistically for what lies ahead.  This important conversation will be helpful for anyone currently experiencing serious illness for themselves or a loved one or those working on advanced care plans.

Click here to listen

The highly-anticipated Le Creuset Factory to Table sale is coming to Dallas! This one-of-a-kind sale will feature exclusive access to a vast selection of our premium cookware, including limited-edition colors and rare shapes and styles not typically found in the U.S. All categories will be represented including cast iron, stoneware, enamel on steel, stainless steel, tools, and accessories. There are still tickets available for the two or three-hour general admission sessions on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for $10, BUT VNA Meals on Wheels has a special coupon code for $5 off! Purchase your tickets HERE and use the code CULINARY to reserve your spot.

Advance tickets are required, so we do suggest anyone interested in attending reserves their ticket ASAP as ticket sessions do sell out. For more information about the event, please visit our event page. A portion of all ticket proceeds will benefit Meals on Wheels to support seniors nationwide facing isolation and hunger. 

WHERE: Dallas Market Center

WHEN: April 21-24

WHAT: Buy tickets to support local Meals on Wheels programs.

Thank you to everyone who participated in March for Meals this year! We received a great deal of community support from area restaurants including El Fenix, Empire Baking Company, La Madeline, Panda Express, Panera Bread, Slim Chickens, and beloved jewelry retailer, Kendra Scott. We also had multiple local and state government representatives participate by delivering meals routes and spreading the word via social media. We are so grateful for the wonderful support and help creating awareness about senior hunger in Dallas. If you weren’t able to get involved during March, it’s never too late! Click here to sign up to become a volunteer or click here to make a gift to feed our hungry, homebound seniors.

In April, we celebrate the tremendous impact volunteers have on our lives and encourage active volunteerism in generations to come.  Last year, nearly 5,000 active VNA Meals on Wheels volunteers helped us deliver more than 1.1 million meals to homebound seniors!  As many of you know, they deliver so much more than a meal—the human connection and warmth of a friend to those isolated in their homes.  Additionally, 101 dedicated VNA Hospice volunteers provided 4,025 hours of compassionate care for terminally ill patients and their loved ones. 

I find these stats not just impressive, but inspiring!  Volunteers truly are at the heart of what we do in helping North Texans age with dignity.

If helping people age with dignity and independence speaks to your heart, get involved with us and contribute toward a positive change for our community. We are always looking to engage with others who share our passion for helping North Texans live happier, healthier lives. Click here to find out more about ways to get involved!

© VNATexas.org
1420 W. Mockingbird Ln., Suite 700, Dallas, TX 75247

VNA offers Meals on Wheels in Dallas County, and VNA Hospice Care and Palliative Care in Collin, Cooke, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Fannin, Grayson, Henderson, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman,
Navarro, Rockwall, Tarrant, Van Zandt and Wise Counties.

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