Our Town Gala kicks off SNAP’s 50th anniversary in style

Talk about an extraordinary way to ring in the New Year. On Jan. 22, the fifth annual Our Town Gala, hosted by Spokane Mayor David Condon and his wife, Kristin, took place at the Hemmingson Center on the campus of Gonzaga University. The black-tie event benefited SNAP and served as a remarkable kick-off for 2016, the agency’s 50^th anniversary year.

“I’ve seen, first-hand, how SNAP helps residents of our city build capacity and achieve their potential,” Mayor Condon said. “Spokane is a better place because of SNAP. It is an agency that opens doors of opportunity for thousands of people each year through education and resources.” Launched in 2012, Our Town Gala is a unique fundraising dinner which benefits a different local nonprofit organization each year. Prior years’ beneficiaries include the Chase Youth Foundation, Spokane Lilac Festival, Global Neighborhood and the campaign to build a veterans’ memorial in Spokane. Since the gala’s inception, Mayor Condon has raised over $550,000 for local nonprofits through the event. “SNAP is a hand-up, not a handout and Mayor Condon has always recognized that,” said Julie Honekamp, SNAP CEO. “We are truly honored and grateful that he has selected the agency to be the beneficiary of this year’s gala. It represents the latest in a long line of supportive gestures we have received from the mayor and the city of Spokane.” Mayor Condon, who emphasized SNAP’s efforts following the severe windstorm that hit the area last November, and Kristin presented SNAP with a check for $100,000 mid-way through the gala. Along the way, SNAP celebrated with around 500 friends – some old, some new –  through attendees and sponsors at the glittering event. “It was something really special,” said Honekamp of the evening, which included dinner, a program and dancing. “It was quite a privilege to be part of something like this. It’s just another reminder of the remarkable community we live in and the amazing support out there for SNAP and other great causes.”