Elkhart Dining Days gives back to community

There is still time left for Michiana residents to take part in the fourth annual Elkhart Dining Days. The nine day event kicked off on October 30th and goes until November 7th.

This year there are 20 different restaurants and bakeries participating in the event.

“It’s a great community event and there’s something for everyone. It’s a really good chance to go out and try some of these places for the first time," said Danielle Waldron, Editor for Flavor 574.

People do not need a coupon or ticket to participate and some of the restaurants do not require reservations either.

"It really helps people in our community, people who might be your neighbors or your friends,” Waldron said.

Throughout the week, there will be special menu items up to $30. Ten percent of each meal goes back to benefit Church Community Services in Elkhart.

“A portion of that goes to Church Community Services so that helps folks in our community who need it most and it stays local,” she added.

Church Community Services provides a range of services to the Elkhart County area, one of which is their food pantry.

“We help with immediate needs so things like if you need food we have a food pantry that you can come to once every 30 days," Development Director of Church Community Services Marlene Kroeker said.

Kroeker said that a lot of the work they do is volunteer based and without volunteers and community support they would not be able to do what they do.

“We love that this is a community event and we’re involved in this community event,” said Kroeker.

She feels this is a way to connect the restaurants in Elkhart to people who are in need.

“Here’s an opportunity for us to celebrate our food culture in Elkhart which I think is a really great idea but then while we’re doing that, we’re not forgetting the people who don’t have enough food so it’s a way to put those two together.”

People who take part in the event are encouraged to the use hashtag their photos and posts using #ElkhartDiningDays.

For those who want to support the mission of Elkhart Dining Days but are unable to participate in the event, donations can be made here.