A Foodie Fundraiser for TROSA

Posted 10/17/2017 in Community Partnerships, Programs and Activities, Special Events

Durham chefs give back with The Forest at Duke

It was a full house at the BBQ & Friends: A Foodie Fundraiser event, as Durham’s top chefs came together to give of their time and talents. Their services benefited TROSA, a program that enables substance abusers to be productive, recovering individuals. Notably, the program provides comprehensive treatment, work-based vocational training, education, and continuing care.

A longtime supporter of TROSA, The Forest at Duke was so excited to be a sponsor of this delicious fundraiser. After all, it’s not often that an opportunity to give back includes a delicious meal, complete with dessert!

Community participants

Event guests could sample delicious offerings from a number of local Durham restaurants. Participating establishments included Nana’s Restaurant, NanaTaco, Foster’s Market Durham, J. Betskis, The Lakewood, Mateo, Rise Durham, Rue Cler, Saltbox Seafood Joint, Sage & Swift Gourmet Catering, Watts Grocery, and The Original Q-Shack.

While helping TROSA move closer to its fundraising goal,, attendees also enjoyed the festive atmosphere decorated by Paperhand Puppet Intervention.

Success by the numbers

It costs about $75 to provide a full day of services to TROSA residents. The program serves more than 500 residents each day, so the cost per day is in the tens of thousands.

Fundraisers like BBQ & Friends ensure that the quality and care TROSA provides remain free to all. This is especially important, as cost is often a hurdle that many people cannot overcome on their own.

In the last year, TROSA made big waves in Durham:

9,554 medical appointments arranged
3,983 counseling and psychiatric appointments provided
518,793 meals cooked and served
2,981 hours volunteered in the community by TROSA residents
105 men and women prepared for their GED
196 people obtained their driver’s license

These numbers are just one small part of the life-changing work TROSA does in the Durham area.

Learn more about this important organization and discover ways that you can support their work by visiting their website.