HOPE Ministries held its annual Taste of Hope event Tuesday evening, serving more than just food—it served a mission.

The mission of the non-profit organization HOPE Ministries is to prevent homelessness and promote self-sufficiency and dignity through events like this one.

Its Taste of Hope event is a fundraiser to support their Client Choice Food Pantry and The Way to Work program.
These programs serve the community by allowing families to choose what food they want through a grocery-style setting and providing career coaches to help people overcome employment barriers.

“The one message, the one takeaway, is that we are one community serving people together,” President and CEO of HOPE Ministries Baton Rouge David Tidwell said. “No one can do this alone and if we pull together, we can make Baton Rouge truly a better place to live, work, and play.”

The event featured a silent auction and live cooking competition between Mansurs on the Boulevard and Mestizo Louisiana Mexican Cuisine. All proceeds from the event go directly toward funding the programs.

The Client Choice Food Pantry provides families with essential resources in times of need, while The Way to Work program helps people build a future they might have never seen for themselves.

“We do want to meet those critical initial needs, but we also want to show people a path forward,” Tidwell said. “It’s not just about right now, but it is about learning a way that will help them in this generation and beyond.”

HOPE’s goal is to show up for its community with opportunity and encouragement when needed.
They are not only cooking for a cause; they are cooking for a change.

To learn about HOPE Ministries’ mission or ways to help the Baton Rouge community, check out their website at hopebr.org