The second annual Dining Out for Hospice event is on. Starting Sunday, July 14, through Saturday, July 20, a total of 39 area restaurants and cafes will contribute a percentage of their sales to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills on specific days during the event.

All you have to do is go out and eat — and who doesn’t like to eat? Enjoy a meal, dessert, specialty coffee or a snack at restaurants in Tryon, Columbus, Saluda, Landrum, Campobello, Inman, Spartanburg, Greer and Greenville. Stick close to home or venture afar for a new experience, knowing that part of your tab will go to support the excellent care provided to patients and families by Hospice of the Carolina Foothills.

Last year’s inaugural event raised almost $6,000, and with even more venues taking part this year, adding a wider variety of choices and locations, hopes for another successful event are high. Restaurant owners are going all-out, some contributing their own creative touches to the program.

“This is the first year we are participating,” said Ken Busch of Scoops N’ More in Columbus. “We are donating a portion of the proceeds on the Tuesday of Dining Week, but we are coming up with a Special Hospice Sundae, and a portion of the proceeds for the entire week are being donated from each Special Sundae sold.”

Though Busch has not had personal experience with Hospice, he is an ardent supporter.

“We believe in what they are doing, the good work they are doing for the individuals in the community, and we have had many customers spend their last days in the care of someone in Hospice,” he says. “Even though we would like this event to draw some traffic, the important thing is we are getting the word out that we believe in Hospice. It is more of an awareness type of thing. Maybe someone will learn about the organization just in case they ever need the help.”

Also new to the event this year is Virginia Maclure of Landrum and her Dark Corner Diner, a bright red food truck (lovingly named Tillie) offering gourmet delights in various locations throughout the area. She brings her moveable feast to Stott’s Corner in Columbus on Wednesday, July 17. She shares her motivation for joining the event.

“I have had many friends with parents or grandparents that Hospice has helped, and I know the good work they do,” she said, “I have two friends with a brother and a mother in Hospice at this time.”

She said she hopes to entice diners and raise money for HCF on her Dining Out day with a menu that includes roast beef sandwiches with radish slaw, grilled onions and black pepper mayo; lemony marinated chickpea sandwiches with black olives, roasted red pepper; sea salt brownies; macadamia nut bars and more.

Molly Thomas of Wildflour Bake Shop in Saluda is back this year to tempt customers with menu items made from fresh, local produce of the day. “We have chosen Sunday for our Dining Out day. We offer several special items every Sunday,” Thomas said, and shares her reason for continuing to be a part of the event.

“We recognize the benefits of having Hospice available in our community and want to support it. Hospice of the Carolina Foothills has been there for our family when we needed also returns for this year’s Dining Out for Hospice, offering gourmet, organic coffee drinks, teas and baked goods, including baked blueberry oatmeal, a variety of scones, cakes and more.

Openroad Coffee Owner Stan Yoder talks about his connection to Hospice, and why he’s back for year two.

“I’ve seen firsthand, with some of my customers, the good things Hospice is doing through the smile on their faces as they shared how Hospice has been there for them during difficult times,” he said. He said last year’s turnout was good, and he expects this year to be better.

For Daniel Blake, owner of Tailgaters Sports Grill in Greer, S.C., participating in Dining Out for Hospice (Thursday, July 18) is personal on many levels.

“We want to be involved in the local community and support organizations that have a positive role in our community. Hospice is the kind of organization that helps and touches everyone in the community,” he says. “My wife and I, as well as my business partner, have all had members of our family that have been helped by hospice providers in various areas throughout the country. Giving back to our local Hospice organization is a great way for us to say, ‘Thanks.’”

Another newcomer this year is restaurant, caterer and deli, Southern Manners in Columbus. True to their “Like Grandma Made It” menu, their eatery is a family affair, and their perspective is community-oriented.

“We would not be in business without the support of the community, and we wanted to give back,” said Patrick Overholt, Southern Manners’ owner. Daughter, Krista Bontrager, who handles advertising, marketing and other business aspects of the restaurant, adds, “We hope to give people a reason to come back again, and support Hospice and the local businesses.”

She gives diners a taste of what they can expect when they visit on Tuesday, July 16.

“We will be serving our regular menu, but we are adding some new items – grilled chicken Caesar wrap, chicken bacon ranch wrap and turkey cranberry wrap, as well as some new breakfast items.”

So get out your calendar, gather your friends and family and map out a week of delectable dining.

Check out all the Dining Out for Hospice partner restaurants and their participation dates in the “Let’s Eat” section at diningoutforhospice.org or see the advertisement list on page 7. You can also call Marsha Van Hecke at HCF for more information: 828-894-7000 or 864-457-9122.

– article submitted by Marsha Van Hecke