The Great Gatsby Gala will be on Saturday, March 22, beginning at 6 p.m., at the Route 5 Event Center to benefit the Chautauqua County Rural Ministry.

In looking for a way to address food insecurity in the community, the Rural Ministry decided to turn to local food vendors to help solve the issue in a fitting way. A handful of food vendors will come together to provide food for the Great Gatsby Gala, with proceeds from the event to benefit the Rural Ministry’s Friendly Kitchen and the Food Pantry.

According to Lorie Mets, a Rural Ministry board member and organizer of the event, numbers of clients accessing the Friendly Kitchen and the Food Pantry are “skyrocketing” from the past year. Mets claimed the Food Pantry is serving roughly double the clients it did a year ago.

“People are in need. Anything we can do to help build the funding to make that happen, ultimately, is what we’re trying to do here,” Mets said.

OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen The Route 5 Event Center in Dunkirk will host the Great Gatsby Gala on March 22 to benefit the Chautauqua County Rural Ministry.

Among the local vendors providing food for the event are Villaggio, The Catering Company, Buddy Brewsters, Wizz-n-Smash, Barbie Pierogi, and Coughlan’s Pub. The event will also have signature drinks at a cash bar and service provided by members of the Infinity Dance Academy.

But it’s not just food and drinks that make the night one to remember. The dance floor will be open with DJ Joe Gould providing Jazz music for the event. There will also be a large basket raffle and a silent auction.

The Rural Ministry came up with the theme to fit a formal setting with its latest fundraiser in an effort to provide different opportunities to offer support throughout the year. “The 1920s was a fun time. It’s such a great theme to work with,” Mets said. “… We’re really excited about it.”

Several community sponsors have also done their part to pitch in. Leading the way was Gugino & Ryel Financial, Nestle Purina, and Farrell Roofing. Other supporters include the Fredonia Beaver Club, American Custom Metal, Lake Shore Savings and Loan, and Fredonia Basil Chevrolet.

Tickets are $40 each presale or $50 at the door. Contact Lorie Mets at Metsmichalak@gmail.com for more information.