Sips and Nibbles: A Tasteful Evening  or a Worthy Cause

By Maria McCall

The old-world charm of El Paseo set the scene for a delightful evening as the Grassini Family Vineyards Tasting Room hosted Sips and Nibbles, a benefit for Food From The Heart. Guests enjoyed Grassini estate wines and Chef Aaron Casale’s sumptuous bites while singer/guitarist Kylie Butler’s smooth tunes set the mood.

For more than three decades, Food From The Hearthas been a quiet yet vital force in Santa Barbara, preparing and delivering wholesome, healing meals to individuals facing illness, injury, or hospice care – completely free of charge. Volunteers including Founder Evelyn Jacob, Sue Adams, Carla Amussen, Bonnie Cummings, and Carmen Ortiz gather each week in the kitchen to chop, stir, bake, and package nourishing meals under Chef Casale’s direction, while
others harvest fruit around town, and still others deliver the lovingly prepared bags directly to clients’ doors. Each delivery includes enough food to last a week, with everything from hearty entrées and casseroles to fresh salads, fruit, and bread.

Longtime volunteer and Board Chair Kelly Onnen, who has been involved with the organization for nearly 24 years, reflected on the evening’s significance. “I started just chopping in the kitchen,” she shared with a smile, “and it blossomed from there. Food from the Heartbelieves in healing through nourishment and the power of giving back.”

Special guests included Paula Bruice, Kathy Denlinger, Dave Gonzales, Don and Doedy Galloway, Eric Onnen, George Thurlow,and Pegeen White.