Not To Be Missed! Eat, Drink And Be Giving At United Way’s Taste 2019

San Marcos, Texas –Foodies from around Central Texas are invited to eat, drink and be giving at the upcoming 10^th Annual Taste event, to be held October 24, 2019, at Embassy Suites San Marcos Hotel and Conference Center.

This event is a culmination of all of the great “tastes” Central Texas has to offer the great people, the great non-profits, the great entertainment and of course, the great food and drinks.

Event attendees can sample menu items from a number of favorite local restaurants, who at previous events have showcased a range of menu selections from roasted butternut squash soup, stuffed mushrooms and gourmet cupcakes to homemade pastas, fresh salads, and juicy burgers, just to list a few.

“Each restaurant lends its own flair to the event,” said Michelle Harper, United Way of Hays and Caldwell Counties President and CEO. “Restaurants will bring crowd favorites, signature dishes that patrons have come to know them for. But they also use this event to premiere new creations and concoctions to peak guests’ interests.”

Participating restaurants include: Rocky River Grille; The 1898; Centerpoint Station Diner & Bakery; Industry San Marcos, TX; Figaro’s Pizza & Pub; Bravo Company Barbeque and Catering; The Root Cellar; Milt’s Pit BBQ; The Railhouse, Kyle, TX; Weusi Wellness Café; Springs Bistro + Bar; The Original Black’s Barbeque; The Pita Shop; Cody’s Bistro & Lounge; Texas Roadhouse; Milagro’s Hill Country Tex Mex; Blaze Pizza; and Rebecca Creek Distillery.

While sampling food from over 18 restaurants, guests can bid on over 115 auction items and dance the night away to the music of the “A Tribute to George Strait Show by Derek Spence,” an act captures the look, sound, and mannerisms of The King of Country Music in such amazing detail, that even Texans have a difficult time telling the difference.

Guests will be dining for a great cause. All proceeds from the Taste of Hays County benefit United Way of Hays and Caldwell Counties programs and partner agencies.

All dollars will ensure that children who are victims of neglect or abuse have the necessary essentials like clothes, shoes and even stuffed animals while they are having to shelter at the Greater San Marcos Youth Council; provide hot and healthy meals to thousands of shut-in senior citizens through Meals on Wheels; fund mentoring programs for hundreds of students in school districts throughout our communities through Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girls Empowerment Network and Big Brothers Big Sisters; provide nutrition classes and healthy vegetables to senior adults needing assistance from the Hays County Food Bank; assist residents of San Marcos Public Housing Authority make and execute a plan that will allow them to move out of public housing; give hope to families of children born with a learning or physical disability by funding therapy services through Any Baby Can and so much more.

Last year over 50,000 Hays and Caldwell County residents utilized the programs and services funded by United Way and many more are in need this year.

In Hays and Caldwell Counties over 68% of residents are either below the poverty line or they are what United Way terms “ALICE.”  They are Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed.

They are hard-working individuals who unfortunately are not making the minimum amount of $64,000 for a family of four to make all of their ends meet.

They are one crisis… a medical diagnosis, needing new tires on their vehicle or their vehicle breaking down, or facing a reduction in hours at work…away from needing the help and support from United Way’s partner programs.

Taste 2019 funds will help provide critical funds to programs that help Hays and Caldwell County residents in need.

“This event is a chance to have fun, while supporting your community,” said Harper. “For the cost of your admission you get a culinary experience, an opportunity to go home with great items from the silent auction, and the satisfaction of knowing that your contributions go towards creating significant lasting changes in our community.” 

Taste 2019 is made possible in part by the generous donations of the following community organizations and individual sponsors:  HEB, Texas State University, Central Texas Medical Center, San Marcos Premium Outlets, Ozona National Bank, ForrReal, Jude and Kathy Prather, Carothers Family Dental, Bill and Kate Johnson, IBC Bank, Lindsey Hill Development, Whataburger, The Green Group, EVO Entertainment, Corridor Primary Care, Frost Bank, Journeys Counseling Services, and Texas Regional Bank.
Table sponsorships are still available by contacting the United Way office.

Tickets for Taste 2019 are on sale now online at www.unitedwayhaysco.org. Individual tickets are $75 and couples can purchase a discounted ticket for $140.

For more information about Taste 2019 tickets and sponsorships and to keep current with United Way of Hays and Caldwell Counties events, programs and community partners visit www.unitedwayhaysco.org or call 512.353.1420.