From Table to Storytime: Dinner Event Fuels Kids’ Literacy Program

(KNSI) – The United Way of Central Minnesota is hosting its annual Imagination Library Progressive Dinner, a fundraiser that supports Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

The program provides one free book per month to children from birth to age five. United Way funds the program locally, where nearly 7,000 children are currently enrolled at an annual cost of almost $245,000.
United Way of Central Minnesota’s Sam Switzer told KNSI the program’s reach continues to grow. “Last year alone, we sent out about 67,000 books. And since we started this in 2005, it’s been over 1.8 million books.”

Switzer said the progressive dinner itself is entirely volunteer-driven. “We have volunteer hosts who are opening their homes, creating the atmosphere, welcoming in the guests, and then we have chefs who are actually preparing the meal and serving that.”

The event takes place over two weekends, with a Sartell dinner on April 25th and a St. Cloud dinner on May 2nd. Tickets are $175 per person and cover all food and beverages for the evening.

Guests select a themed cuisine when purchasing tickets, and that theme guides the entire night. The evening begins at a reception home with appetizers and cocktails, then progresses to separate homes for a first course and main course before returning to the reception home for dessert. Hosts and chefs are kept secret until guests arrive.

About 30 tickets remain. Cuisine options and tickets are available by clicking here.

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