Dear *{{Informal Name}}*,
The FMF 2023 Chefs for Change Gala may be over, but we are still in awe of what a wonderful night it was! The Cookery was a perfect venue, allowing guests—many clad in their holiday finery—to mingle in the front room, enjoying festive beer and wine from Empire Distributers and Harris Beverage Co. Passed appetizers from Chef Trent Shank of Plum Southern Kitchen piqued interest for the stunning dinner to come and the silent auction items donated by community members and businesses dazzled—if the uptick in bidding and sly glances to check to see the leading bids were any indication.
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Shortly before 7 pm, some 200 guests took their cue and hurried across the chilly patio to enter The Cookery’s warm, inviting dining room, adorned with beautiful centerpieces donated by Ninth Street Flowers and table settings from American Party Rentals. Emcee Ken Jackson greeted his audience with a boisterous, playful embrace that included a friendly jab at Android users, and Director of Development Joe Daly thanked our generous sponsors one by one. He offered a special shoutout to Trent and his team at Plum as well as Tom Meyer and his staff at Southern Harvest for assisting with the Gala.
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Within moments, a procession of volunteers began delivering Trent’s first course of roasted Durham Farmers’ Market winter squash soup, accented with crab, white truffle, and pumpkin seed. As guests savored each spoonful, they fixed their gazes on the podium where important business was taking place. First up was FMF Board President Mark Paulson, who had the pleasure of presenting the 2023 James T. Hewitt Distinguished Service Award. By happy coincidence, this year’s winner was master of ceremonies and stalwart board member Ken Jackson. We stress: The fix wasn’t in!
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Next, Director of Programs & Residential Services and soon-to-be Executive Director Tasha Melvin announced the recipient of the 2023 Outstanding Partnership Award: Legal Aid of North Carolina – Durham Office. Tasha noted that our honorees have served more than 280 families by facilitating nearly 100 landlord and tenant rights workshops and several expungement clinics. They have also provided countless hours of legal guidance to individual families served at the shelter. We were delighted to recognize these wonderful partners. |
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As soon as the awards ceremony ended, the room was plunged into darkness. Guests pivoted toward a large screen to watch a short documentary by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Jeremiah McLamb of JerFilm Productions. What unfolded over the next 13 minutes was riveting. The video highlighted the growing problem of family homelessness in Durham and the stories of two of FMF’s families. The clients featured, Durant and Lisa, shared moving, at times raw testimony about what they had been through, why they had become homeless, and how FMF had provided the space and care they needed to move forward.
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After the lights came up, FMF Executive Director Tammy Laurence spoke briefly about the video and the issues it raised. She recognized Lisa, who was seated near the stage, for her resilience, honesty, and courage. The room rose in unison to give Lisa a standing ovation. |
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Following the video, guests had much to discuss over a main course of braised beef short rib paired with colcannon polenta, braised cabbage, red wine demi-glace, and gremolata. When the program resumed, Ken Jackson recognized Board President-Elect Xavier Cason for his new role in 2024 and departing FMF board members Mark Paulson and Jeanne Murray for their years of dedication and leadership. Then, fittingly, Mark had the opportunity to honor departing Executive Director Tammy Laurence for her transformational tenure at FMF. The audience demonstrated their hearty approval of Mark's comments.
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Tammy thanked her family, among others, for their support throughout her 30-year career in the nonprofit sector and reiterated that she felt now was the ideal time to hand over the reigns. |
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Mark then introduced Tasha Melvin as our new Executive Director effective Jan. 1st. He lauded Tasha for her years of experience helping families in Durham working to move beyond homelessness and for her leadership and vision. She was showered with applause and a standing ovation.
Trent capped off a memorable meal by serving a delectable lemon meringue with gingerbread and marshmallow fluff, toasted to perfection. With our silent auction complete, sweet tooth satisfied, and donation tally climbing, little did we know the fireworks that were yet to come! |
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Trent emerged from the kitchen to help Ken Jackson auction off a Birria dinner for 40 donated by Plum. Our emcee channeled his best auctioneer’s cadence as the bidding volleyed between two sides of the room. The crowd became raucous as Trent and Ken took turns driving the bidding higher. Then, Trent threw everyone a curve. A generous, inspired curve. As he shared in a recent post on Instagram: |
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“When the bids hit $7K, I stopped the auction and asked if the two groups bidding would be willing to BOTH contribute that amount if we offered TWO dinner experiences. The roar of the crowd and the energy in that room after both parties accepted was amazing. It was a night I will never forget.” |
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Neither will we. We cannot thank Trent enough for his generosity and support of FMF! We also must thank Tom Meyer again, who helped establish the Chefs for Change series and continues to spearhead so many of the logistics. Thanks again to our volunteers, generous sponsors, and the venues that hosted this year’s events—Weldon Mills Distillery, The Lincoln on Geer, and The Cookery.
Thank you to everyone who attended the Gala, contributed gifts to our silent auction, bid on those items from home or in person, and/or donated online to the event. Your generosity enabled FMF to raise $66,599 to help families in the crisis of homelessness find their way home. If you missed this year’s Gala, don’t worry. We’re already cooking up plans for next year’s Chefs for Change series! |
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Joe Daly Director of Development Families Moving Forward |
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The FMF 2023 Gala Photo Album |
We’re grateful that such an unforgettable evening and the range of emotions it evoked were captured by our friends at Scoville Photography. Please check out the beautiful work of Satsuki "Sunshine" Scoville in our Gala Photo Gallery. A special thank you to Sunshine for giving so generously of her time and helping us to commemorate this remarkable occasion.
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