(Oxford, MS) This food fight may be missing the cream pie to the face, but it will not be lacking in treats. A new event, created by Leadership Lafayette, will pair local charities with food trucks to raise funds to support programs that directly impact Lafayette County. Scheduled for Sunday, August 28, 2016 from 3 – 7 pm at the Old Armory, the family friendly event will feature food, live music, games, activities, and the chance to learn about five organizations that make a difference in the community. The event was created by a team from the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce after learning about the role and needs that community organizations play as part of the leadership program.
Leadership Lafayette is a program of the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce. The program provides leadership training to encourage community involvement by local businesses and community leaders. Each year, members of the class complete projects which have an impact on the local community. Leadership Lafayette Group 3 team members Allison Garner, Rebecca Phillips, Mike Gooch, Reggie Clayton, and Andy Miller created this project after recognizing that local charitable organizations could work together on one fundraiser and direct more funding to their mission and services by coordinating efforts.
“We recognized that many of our local charities struggle with fundraising. They are experts at fulfilling their mission and serving the community, but taking time away from their mission to raise funds is a challenge,” shared Allison Garner, Project Manager of Group 3 Leadership Lafayette team.
The event will combine resources of several organizations, allowing the charitable organizations to focus on organizing volunteers and inviting people to the event. This event will be replicated annually.
The Food Truck Fight pairs local charities with food trucks around an afternoon of entertainment. Proceeds from the food trucks, beverage sales, ticket sales, and donations will benefit the charities. The food truck and charity that raise the most funds will be declared the Food Truck Fight Champion.
“We thought an event that allowed families to have an evening of entertainment while knowing that the money they spent supported a local charity was a great way to call people to action. By creating a community event that people will attend just because it is a fun evening out, attendees will learn about local charities and their mission,” added Garner.
The event is scheduled for Sunday, August 28, 2016 from 3–7 pm in Oxford, Mississippi at the Old Armory, located on the corner of Bramlett Blvd. and University Ave. Food Truck Fight will benefit Lafayette Oxford Foundation for Tomorrow (LOFT), Yoknapatawpha Arts Council (YAC), Horizons, Crime Stoppers, and Rotary Clubs of Oxford. The participating food trucks this year include the following: YoknapaTaco, Smoke Shop Oxford, Small Time Hot Dogs, Breakfast 2 Lunch, and Sweetwater Bleu’z Creole & Cajun Cooking on the roll. PoPsy will also participate as a food item at the event.
Tickets to the event, or the ability to make a donation to one of the charities to help them claim the Food Truck Fight title, can be made online now. The organizers have created a site to promote the event and encourage donations to support these worthy causes. To learn more visit the following website: https://www.generosity.com/community-fundraising/food-truck-fight or email aagarne1@yahoo.com. 
