Festival Brings Clergy, Food Together For Charity

Published: October 14, 2004

ATLANTA—On Thursday, Nov 4, more than 80 of the city’s leading clergy will trade their collars for chef hats and aprons to participate in Holy Smoke 2004 held at the Foundry at Puritan Mill.

Presented by Families First, a nonprofit organization that has been serving the Atlanta community for 114 years, Holy Smoke is a culinary festival featuring delicious dishes such as “Fudge They Make in Heaven,” and “Sweet Georgia Chili” that are prepared and served by the clergy members themselves. Sister Valentina Sheridan, RSM, director of pastoral care at Saint Joseph’s Hospital, is one of the event’s honorary chairs.

This year’s event, themed “Fourteen Years of Bridging Communities Through Faith,” will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Approximately 500 leaders and members from Atlanta’s business and religious communities are expected to attend.

Holy Smoke is not only a culinary festival but also an event to raise critical operating funds for the Families First program, Capitol Area Mosaic, which, since 1958 has offered educational, social and cultural programs for the residents of Capitol Homes and the surrounding neighborhoods. Holy Smoke is the only annual fundraiser to support the center’s continued activities and outreach efforts.

Pat Showell, president and CEO of Families First, said that the organization is excited about this year’s Holy Smoke, which will help CAM “continue to touch and change the lives of families and children every single day.”

“All who attend this unique event are in for a real treat,” she said. “Not only will they get the chance to enjoy a wide variety of foods, but to also celebrate diversity as people from various religions come together for a good cause. It is a true example of bridging communities through faith.”

In addition to Sister Sheridan, honorary chairs include Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery, senior honorary chair; Rev. Beth Luton Cook, Candler School of Theology; Imam Ibrahim Pasha, Atlanta Masjid al-Islam; Rev. Joseph Roberts, Ebenezer Baptist Church; and Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin, The Temple.

Individual advance tickets are available for $30 per person, and tickets will be available at the door for $35 per person. Tickets for groups of 10 or more are $25 per person.

For more information on sponsorship opportunities and tickets for Holy Smoke, contact Families First at (404) 853-2809 or visit www.familiesfirst.org.