by Dennis Dalman
More volunteer home hosts, cooks and professional chefs are needed for the annual United Way’s Imagination Library Progressive Dinner in late April. The event now in its 13th year.
Tickets go on sale March 17.
All proceeds are used to buy “Imagination Library” books, which are sent to homes in the United Way area each month, free, to children ages birth to 5. The program, founded many years ago by singer-songwriter Dolly Parton, fosters literacy and develops in children a lifelong love of reading books.
There will actually be two events this year – dinners served in St. Cloud homes Saturday, April 23 and dinners in Sartell homes Saturday, April 30.
A progressive dinner, in this case, means participants stop at a first home for appetizers and drinks. After a relaxing time there, the diners travel to a second home for a first-course meal, then to a third home for a second-course meal. Finally, they return to the first home to enjoy a variety of desserts.
The elaborate meals are prepared in the homes by superb at-home cooks or by professional guest chefs. The meals are made with “themes” in mind based on books, events or cultural landmarks.
Two years ago, the progressive-dinner program was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Last year, it was a Zoom event with chefs and diners cooking in homes while linked via Zoom.
“It was a huge success,” said United Way Events and Brand Manager Sam Switzer. “There were nearly 100 ‘virtual’ guests, and more than $25,000 was raised.”
Switzer explained the responsibilities of volunteer hosts/cooks:
“As a host, your role is to open your home to a themed dinner. You will host 10 diners, decorate according to your theme and serve drinks. Our volunteer chefs can be professional or home cooks. They are responsible for purchasing, preparing and serving a course to 10 guests.”
Tickets are $150 per diner. That is enough to purchase one book per month for a child for a period of five years. To purchase tickets, call United Way at 320-223-7995.
If there are questions, call Sam Switzer at 320-229-3511 or email her at sswitzer@unitedwayhelps.org.
More information about the Imagination Library Progressive Dinner can also be found at the United Way website: www.unitedwayhelps.org/ilpd.
For more than 30 years, United Way of Central Minnesota has developed many programs to help people in the areas of education, financial stability and health. The agency’s efforts involve a variety of help from businesses, individuals and partner agencies.
United Way now has more than 3,000 volunteers, 8,000-plus donors in a four-county area, including Stearns and Benton. More than $3.2 million is raised every year, thanks to many smaller donations and the substantial donations made by 90 area businesses and their employees.
A cook puts the finishing touches on salads to be served at a home stop during a previous Imagination Library Progressive Dinner event.
