Is there something ironic about folks fighting hunger by consuming a fancy four-course dinner in a mansion?
Not at all, says Sen. Missy Irvin, R-Mountain View. "It's a reminder that, while [they're] enjoying this dinner, that it's a rare thing for some people. There are a lot of folks who would count themselves lucky to just have peanut butter and jelly."
Irvin co-chairs the Arkansas Legislative Hunger Caucus, which is putting on the eighth annual Serving Up Solutions dinner, 6-8:30 p.m. June 25 at the Arkansas Governor's Mansion, 1800 Center St.
It's a benefit for Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, an umbrella organization for a network of state hunger-relief organizations with a mission to reduce food insecurity -- helping Arkansans know where their next meal will come from.
"Where I live" -- Irvin represents the 9th Senate District in north central Arkansas -- "67 percent of the students in my district get free or reduced-price lunches. I've been a substitute teacher, and you can see the difference in school if they're hungry. Their minds are on their stomachs, not on math or English."
Event co-chairmen are, for the second straight year, Ben and Kyle Noble. Mansion Executive Chef Patrick Herron and his staff will feed 220 people a four-course dinner at the sold-out event (official ticket price: $250) that will include prosciutto fromage palmiers; brie and grape crostini and tomato basil mozzarella crostini; spring green mix salad with grape tomatoes, feta, candied pecans and champagne vinaigrette; pork tenderloin with mustard tarragon cream, broccoli noisette, roasted Yukon potatoes and mansion rolls; and apple crisp with caramel sauce.
Irvin has been a member of the Hunger Caucus for four years; shortly after taking office in 2010, she was approached to co-chair it with Sen. Larry Teague, D-Nashville. (This year's caucus co-chairmen are Reps. Eddie Armstrong, D-North Little Rock, and Charlotte Vining Douglas, R-Alma.)
"I love it because as a legislator, your job is to serve the people you represent," Irvin explains. And at this event, "we literally serve -- we're the waiters and waitresses."
Gov. Asa Hutchinson and first lady Susan Hutchinson are expected to take part as well.
In addition to the money the sponsors and the patrons pay up front, each table has a tip jar, and the tips go toward the cause. Irvin says her tips over the past couple of years have generally been pretty good, but "the first lady has always beaten everybody."
The legislative wait staff usually comes to about 20, more or less equally split between state House and Senate members and between Democrats and Republicans. Oh, it's purely a bipartisan project, Irvin says. Politics go out the window when it comes to hunger relief.
Proceeds support and expand the Alliance's programs and to fund capacity-building grants that participating legislators can award to member food pantries and hunger relief agencies in their districts.
Irvin grew up in Little Rock before marrying Dr. Dawson Irvin and moving to Mountain View 18 years ago.
The event will include an opening reception and live and silent auctions. Live auction items will include a deluxe game package to the Arkansas-Missouri football game; a trip to Napa Valley in California with a two-night stay at a winery; a white gold and diamond tennis bracelet; and a Trio's-catered dinner for 12 in your home.
Arkansas artist Barry Thomas, who is one of Irvin's five older brothers, will create a painting on the spot that will will go up for auction. Irvin says she has no idea what the subject will be, and that Thomas probably doesn't, either.
"We don't find out until that night," she says. "He'll paint 'live' throughout the evening as the dinner unfolds and it'll be auctioned off -- probably wet." The buyer may have to make arrangements to have the painting delivered once it dries.
Thomas, she says, is an impressionist who works primarily in oils. He studied art at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Calif., and also attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where he was a defensive end (wearing No. 57) for the Razorbacks.
Last year set a record for the event, $100,000. "The goal is always to raise more money than last year, and as much as you can," Irvin says.
This year's presenting sponsor is Nucor, a client of Ben Noble's. (Noble is founder of Noble Strategies, a lobbying firm in Little Rock.) The "Gold Sponsors" are two more of his clients -- Tyson and the Arkansas Rice Council -- and Wal-Mart. The "Silver Sponsor" is Entergy.
"A lot of these organizations are really dedicated in the corporate landscape to hunger causes," Irvin says.
If you didn't get to buy a ticket, you can still contribute: Call (501) 399-9999 or visit arhungeralliance.org.
High Profile on 06/07/2015