Northeast Opportunities for Wellness, Inc. (NOW) will hold its 5th Annual A Taste for NOW, A Taste for Life on Friday, October 14th from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at The Mansion at Bald Hill Banquet Center. The event has become a celebrated annual tradition for the nonprofit, with over 200 people attending and over $11,000 raised in 2015. Tickets to the event are available for $60 per person, with proceeds to benefit NOW’s youth scholarships and programs.

The event invites attendees to “taste” selections from the area’s top restaurants, caterers, and bakeries. All food provided is paired with beer and wine selections provided by Friendly Spirits. For 2016, there are 18 restaurants participating, including: 85 Main, Black Dog Bar & Grille, Bella’s Bistro, Connecticut National Golf Club, The Courthouse Bar & Grille, The Crossings Restaurant and Brew Pub, De La Terre, Grill 37, The Inn at Woodstock Hill, Jessica Tuesdays, The Lunchbox Catering Company, The Mansion at Bald Hill, Renee’s Working Girl Catering, Roots Down, Sherwood’s Restaurant & Bar, Soleil & Suns Bakery, Sweet Pea’s Fine Foods, and Victoria Station Café.

Friendly Spirits, which has provided the beer and wine pairings since the event was founded, will also donate 10{935c65a732af2bdfdcd0903b52ce42ca7e95cf00c7f9fc1a7b4e2b425875eda7} of sales made during the event to NOW. Executive Director for NOW, Sarah Mortensen noted, “We are so thankful of the continued partnership with Friendly Spirits, The Mansion at Bald Hill, and the many restaurants that participate in this event year after year. It is a wonderful collaboration, and the result is a great evening of food, fellowship, and spirits.”

Live entertainment will be provided by acoustic duo, That Dollar’s Gone, as well as raffle items donated by local businesses. The funds raised at the event will assist NOW in their mission to introduce area children to fitness, nutrition, and sports. The event is one of several fundraisers NOW hosts throughout the year. Earl Rosebrooks, NOW Board member and Fundraising Chair commented, “The best part of the Taste for NOW event is that every dollar raised goes back to the community, and specifically to children living in the 10-town area. With all of our events, our goal is to put the “fun” in fundraising, and the Taste truly embodies that motto.”

Founded in 2011 by an all-volunteer board, Northeast Opportunities for Wellness is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of Quiet Corner children by insuring each child’s access to fitness, nutrition, and athletics. Serving the 10-town area of Northeast Connecticut, NOW partners with other local youth organizations to provide scholarships to children ages 3-14 who otherwise may not be able to afford such opportunities.

Tickets are currently available online and at select locations including Chase Graphics, Friendly Spirits, The Mansion at Bald Hill, and WINY Radio.