Taste of Fort Smith completes 23rd annual event
by October 26, 2010 7:33 pm 57 views
story and photos by Linda Kaufenberg
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With only 18 members, Altrusa International’s Fort Smith chapter secured 43 restaurants and vendors to show their wares.
Armed with a plate, fork, spoon and napkin, diners were able to circle the many vendor tables and get a sample-sized serving. The event was open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and for dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. Tickets were $15.
Altrusa is a community based, grassroots organization that seeks to solve the problems in its back yards. In 1977, Altrusa adopted literacy as an on-going service project. Inspired by Thoreau, Mamie L. Bass put it best, "it is not enough to be good; Altrusans must be good for something."
“We hope to raise about $20,000 from this event, our only fundraiser,” said Debbie Morris who has been an Altrusa member since 1987. “I was here for the first Taste of Fort Smith and it runs pretty good. After today, we will have a meeting to discuss what went right and what went wrong, starting immediately on next year’s Taste of Fort Smith.
Most of the money raised goes to literacy, a national Altrusa focus.
Morris said Chick-Fil-A and Coca Cola have participated for the 23 years. There were also new restaurants in attendance – Zaxby’s, Imajerk Barbeque, Dog Shack, Taco Mayo and Lotus Thai Cuisine.
Ballots were provided so the diners could vote for Taster’s Choice, Show-Offs (decorations), Friendliest Servers, Sweet Taste and Big Splash (Drinks).
Altrusa meets at noon on the second and fourth Thursdays in the Fort Smith Public Library.
