It was a night of great wine and food that Community Crew volunteers and supporters won’t soon forget.

On April 23, Bar Ruffino, the newest addition to Ruffino’s Pasta Bar & Grill, hosted about 60 people for a night of wine and fun, sponsored by a long list of Niagara restaurants.

The goal was to raise funds for the organization’s lunch program, which feeds children from food insecure families in the Niagara region a healthy lunch three times a week.

The program feeds more than 4,500 children weekly, in 33 different schools.

Altogether the party managed to raise about $10,000.

A bunch of Niagara businesses helped pitch in so they event could be donation only.

There was food from Ruffino’s and Yorkshire Pudding Inc., wine from Vineland, Ravine and Fielding estate wineries and the Farm Wines, spirits from Dillons, beer from the Exchange and non-alcholic drinks from Hendrik’s Independent.

“So we had everything covered right here in town,” said Community Crew’s fundraising manager Katy Herron.

The idea was dreamed up by Jane Locke and Bar Ruffino owner Ryan Crawford. She said the night was “almost informal,” but they still maxed out the capacity for the building.

“Food prices continue to rise. The needs continue to grow with food insecure children in the Niagara region. (Locke) sees it up close every week now packing lunches for us,” Herron said.

Because the organization is self-funded, she said events like that bring together people who care about the community “are perfect.”

“The biggest challenge is people don’t know these needs exist right here in our backyard. And they don’t know that we all the things that we do at Community Crew.”

Events like this one help more than just financially, but to also get the word out that people can donate and help out, too.