Touchstone Foundation Announces Third Annual “Feast of the Senses” May 9, 2024

LANCASTER, PA – Touchstone Foundation announces its third annual event + auction, “Feast of the Senses” to be held on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Excelsior in Lancaster, PA. Guests must RSVP by April 11, 2024. Touchstone Foundation is also celebrating their 25th anniversary this year, due to the sale of Community Hospital of Lancaster in 1999.

Feast of the Senses is a unique dining experience with five food and beverage stations highlighting each of the Touchstone Foundation programs and the five senses. The menu features locally sourced ingredients that showcase one of the five senses, encouraging guests to experience the senses.

“With our mission to increase youth mental wellness, our goal with this event is to celebrate the five senses through a progressive dinner experience for guests to enjoy. Each of the menu pairings showcases one of the five senses and one of our programs. It’s a lot of fun, and we are really looking forward to highlighting our programs and celebrating 25 years in Lancaster County,” says Anna Kennedy, Executive Director.

Guests will embark on a journey exploring sight, touch, sound, scent, and taste through delicious food and drink pairings while learning more about the Touchstone Foundation and how the organization is championing mental well-being for young people in Lancaster County. The event includes silent auction, raffles, and a live auction with HK Keller Auctioneers.

Experience the Senses – Enjoy specially curated small plates with locally sourced ingredients and beverage pairings exemplifying each of the five programs:

1. SEE – “Butter Board” with our Rise Above Youth Summit program.
2. SMELL – “Smoked Brisket Station” with our Mental Health Clinical Fellowship program
3. HEAR – “Grilled Vegetables and Warm Grain Bowl” with our Parent Mental Wellness program, “A Moment to Breathe.”
4. FEEL – “Taco Table” with our Mental Health Access Assistance program.
5. TASTE – “Pasta Bar” with our Mental Health Careers Scholarship program.
   
   Plus dessert!

Celebrating youth mental wellness

In 2022, Touchstone Foundation hosted its inaugural “Feast of The Senses” fundraiser, raising over $90,900! The funds raised last year helped to support children, youth, and families through its various programs.

For example, Touchstone Foundation helps families afford therapy, contributing $50 per visit towards a copay or deductible to help families in need. Scholarships are provided for students pursuing careers in mental health, and a training program helps graduates obtain the clinical supervision hours required to earn a license to practice in mental health care. Our three main goals are to:

• Improve Access
  • Mental Health Access Assistance to 1,365 therapy sessions for kids and parents in Lancaster County
  • Youth Mental Wellness micro-grants were awarded to 12 local community organizations
• Build the Talent Pipeline
  • Mental Health Career Scholarships to 9 students in psychology, social work, and nursing
  • Mental Health Clinical Fellowships supporting 34 Masters of Social Work graduates and 13 newly licensed therapists/counselors
• Create Awareness
  • Parent Mental Wellness through a new “A moment to breathe” parent group with Community Action Partnership (CAP)
  • Rise Above Youth Summit for high school students to eliminate the stigma of youth mental wellness by connecting them to local professionals in Lancaster County

With the generosity of donor support, Touchstone Foundation helps youth and families in Lancaster County achieve mental wellness.

Sponsorships and Auction Items welcome

Donors interested in providing an event sponsorship or donating an item for the auction can visit the “Feast of the Senses” website to learn more: https://touchstonefound.org/feast-of-the-senses/