Nonprofit plans wine tasting fundraiser

Published 11:04 pm Thursday, July 9, 2015

The Black Belt Community Development Coalition (BBCDC) is looking to wine and dine the community later this month with its wine tasting fundraiser, “Let’s Toast.”

The nonprofit organization, which focuses on homelessness and helping families in need, will host the fundraiser Saturday, July 25 at the Vaughan-Smitherman Museum from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

“I’m not a wine connoisseur, but I am learning about wine and what tastes right with certain types of food,” said Kashee Smith, chief executive and operations director for BBCDC. “I thought maybe other people my age and above would be interested in doing something like that.”

Email newsletter signup

Smith said she wanted to give people a relaxed atmosphere where people could enjoy themselves and discuss issues in the Black Belt.

“We wanted it to be an atmosphere where people who are business owners, people who may help us with resources and funding or other nonprofits can kind of get together at a social event to talk about the issues, which are homelessness, unemployment, domestic violence or substance abuse,” Smith said.

“I think when you create that type of atmosphere people can really be honest and open about things.”

The wine tasting will feature wine from an Alabama winery. Participants will be able to taste six different wines and decorate their own wine glass.

Smith said there will also be a silent auction, which will give people a chance to bid on gift baskets from Alabama wineries, wine tasting gift certificates and artwork among other items that were donated for the tasting.

“This is going to be our first wine tasting that we hope to make an annual event, so we can continue to showcase the different wineries and continue to bring people together for a different cultural experience here in Selma,” Smith said.

The BBCDC, which has been in the works the last three years, was recognized as a nonprofit organization in 2014.

Smith said it is important to host events like “Let’s Toast” to get their name out there and let the community know about the services they provide.

“The organization is designed to help those families that are in transition and that require immediate resources to get themselves on their feet so they can improve their quality of life so they can also improve their children’s lives,” Smith said.

“The main goal for us this year and forward is to gain resources and funding towards building an emergency homeless shelter.”

Smith said homelessness is one of the major issues the Black Belt region faces, and they want their future shelter to more than just a place for people to get a meal and a place to lay their head at night.

“It won’t be your traditional center. We would like to provide our resources that people can continue to utilize on a daily basis,” Smith said. “We would like to provide transportation to those individuals that do not have transportation to get to the facility. We want to be able to have one on one sessions with the people that enter the facility to understand their situation to match the resources that are required.”

Funds raised from the tasting will go toward the shelter and the Candle Lighters Community Re-entry Program, according to Smith.

Tickets can be purchased online at blackbeltcoalition.org on the news and upcoming events page.

Smith said they are also looking for volunteers to help with their mission.

“We’re a fairly new organization, but we have the passion and drive of an organization that has been here for years,” Smith said. “We’re always looking for collaboration opportunities and volunteers.”

For more information or to volunteer, contact Smith at 413-2233 or email her at blackbeltcoalition@gmail.com.