Centerplate Helps to Raise Nearly $600,000 for The Journey Home, to Fight Homelessness in Baltimore
Oct 27, 2017, 13:22 ET
BALTIMORE, Oct. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- After a night of exciting music, exceptional food, and touching personal stories, Centerplate – hospitality partner to top sporting venues, convention centers and cultural attractions – is proud to announce the final fundraising tally for "An Evening of Unexpected Delights." The benefit concert, held October 21st at the Modell Performing Arts Center at The Lyric, helped to raise nearly $600,000 for The Journey Home in conjunction with the United Way of Central Maryland and Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh.
As in years past, guests were treated to food, auctions, guest appearances and gift surprises throughout the evening. The event also featured a stirring musical performance by legendary R&B group Boyz II Men.
The Journey Home is Baltimore's 10-year plan to end homelessness in the city. Proceeds from the benefit will provide funding for a number of Journey Home priorities, including an employment program that operates out of three emergency shelters in Baltimore and a children's coordinator program to support the academic and social needs of the nearly 1,000 homeless youths living in shelters.
"The Journey Home brings together the public and private sectors, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and concerned citizens to work on solutions for preventing and ending homelessness," said Chuck Tildon, vice president of Government Relations and Strategic Partnerships at United Way of Central Maryland, which serves as the fiscal agent and marketing partner for The Journey Home. "The Journey Home focuses on addressing fundamental causes of homelessness; the lack of affordable housing, inaccessible health care, inadequate incomes, and a lack of coordinated services."
"We were excited to join forces with Mayor Pugh and the city of Baltimore for the seventh annual Journey Home Banquet to combat homelessness in Baltimore," added Chris Verros, President and CEO of presenting sponsor Centerplate. "At Centerplate, we are always working tirelessly to enhance the communities in which we live and work. We're extremely pleased to have helped raise over $4 million for the Journey Home Campaign over the past seven years."
Funds for The Journey Home come from a combination of public and private funds and the annual benefit provides needed flexible funding that is allocated based on real time need by Baltimore's Continuum of Care.
About Centerplate
Centerplate is a global leader in live event hospitality, "Making It Better To Be There®" for more than 116 million guests each year at more than 300 prominent entertainment, sports and convention venues across North America, Europe and the United Kingdom. Centerplate has provided event hospitality services to more than 30 official U.S. Presidential Inaugural Balls, 14 Super Bowls and 22 World Series. Visit the company online at Centerplate.com, connect via Twitter @centerplate, Instagram @Centerplate_ or Facebook.com/centerplate.
About The Journey Home
The Journey Home is Baltimore City's 10-year plan to make homelessness rare and brief. The plan centers on a best practice known as "Housing First", which emphasizes an increase in programs for men, women and families experiencing homelessness, as well as better coordination of existing services. For more information about the plan, please visit www.journeyhomebaltimore.org.
Media Contact
Paul Pettas
Communications Director, Centerplate
[email protected]
203-898-0632
SOURCE Centerplate