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April 14, 2009



FIFTH-ANNUAL TASTE OF THE NFL: THE ULTIMATE COWBOYS TAILGATE PARTY
TOUCHES DOWN APRIL 19 AT THE GLASS CACTUS

Cowboys Ware and Spears Team Up With Top Restaurant Chefs to Raise Funds for the North Texas Food Bank’s Efforts to Tackle Childhood Hunger

DALLAS (April 14, 2009) - - Foodies and pigskin fans will party with a purpose when Dallas Cowboys and top restaurant chefs team up for the area’s best off-season cookout - - Taste of the NFL: The Ultimate Cowboys Tailgate Party - - benefiting the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB). The fifth-annual event, hosted with Abacus and presented by Lockheed Martin, touches down Sunday, April 19 from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the Glass Cactus in Grapevine.

This year’s Tailgate Party includes 25 gourmet food stations; a spirited evening of live music by headliner Emerald City and a VIP set performed by Free Reign featuring Cowboys Offensive Linemen Marc Colombo, Cory Procter and Leonard Davis; silent auction bidding and raffles featuring great escape packages, one-of-a-kind memorabilia and a showcase piece by Tiffany & Co.; in addition to celebrity Cowboys guests and appearances by Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Proceeds raised specifically support the NTFB’s child feeding programs including, Food 4 Kids backpack and Kids Cafe programs, which aim to tackle childhood hunger here in North Texas. Event tickets are available online at www.ntfb.org or by calling 214.431.4683 for the purchase price of $125/single or $225/pair, while supplies last.

“This fun-filled evening has become a springtime tradition for foodies and sports fans alike, and we extend our gratitude to Dallas Cowboys DeMarcus Ware and Marcus Spears, football legend Preston Pearson, Kent Rathbun and Abacus, along with all the chefs and sponsors who have embraced our cause at a time of increased need when many local families are relying on our services for the first time ever,” said Jan Pruitt, President and CEO of the North Texas Food Bank.

This year’s group is taking time out from their own kitchens to give back to a good cause. They include:
Kent Rathbun – Abacus
Annika Sacher – Jasper’s
David Bull – Bolla
Laurel Wimberg – Craft
Tim Love – Lonesome Dove
TJ Lengnick – Shinsei
David Holben – Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House
James Williams – North Texas Food Bank
Gilbert Garza – Suze
Travis Henderson – Perry’s
Samir Dhurandhar – Nick & Sam’s
Vilmar Zenzen – Fogo de Chao
Chef Jerome – Cooking with Rome
Jon Bonnell – Bonnell’s Restaurant
Anthony Bombaci – Nana
Jim Severson – Sevy’s
Ryan Coffey – Frosted Art Bakery
Ty Thoren – Gaylord Texan Resort
Joanne Bondy – Old Hickory Steakhouse at the Gaylord Texan
Gustavo Ibarra – Morton’s
Amador Mora – Maximo’s
Stephen DeSandro – The Londoner
Daniel Winans – The Grill on the Alley
Tiffany Derry – Go Fish Ocean Club

Special thanks to Gene and Jerry Jones Family Dallas Cowboys Charities and this year’s venue host the Glass Cactus at the Gaylord Texan Resort; presenting sponsor Lockheed Martin; “Go Green” sponsors VHA, Novation, Provista and Nancy C. Rogers and & Richard R. Rogers / Mary Kay Inc.; “Touchdown” sponsor Albertsons; “Field Goal” sponsors, US Foodservice and Fidelity Investments; sponsors who provided in-kind services, donated ingredients to complete the tailgate spread or contributed fabulous raffle and silent auction items; the entire Host committee; and all the dedicated volunteers committed to passionately pursuing a hunger-free community. Last year alone, Taste of the NFL: The Ultimate Cowboys Tailgate Party provided more than half a million meals to kids in need.

The NTFB’s Food 4 Kids program provides backpacks full of nutritious food to chronically hungry children identified by local schools each semester, and will expand into the summer to sustain roughly 1,250 youth per week. The Food Bank will additionally operate 22 Kids Cafes during June, July and August serving approximately 2,500 kids 3-5 days a week through camps and programs in at-risk areas. More families will also rely on food pantries to help feed their children in the summer. But work remains to be done. According to a recent USDA study, Texas and New Mexico lead the nation in children who are food insecure, meaning they are without consistent access to nutrition. The NTFB and its Member Agencies have seen a 35% increase in demand for food over the last 3 months.
Please visit the NTFB’s website at www.ntfb.org for additional event information, to learn more about the nonprofit’s programs serving children or to see how you can make a difference today. For every dollar donated, the Food Bank is able to provide four meals.

About North Texas Food Bank
The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) is a nonprofit hunger relief organization that distributes donated, purchased and prepared foods through a network of feeding programs in 13 North Texas counties. The NTFB supports the nutritional needs of children, families and seniors through education, advocacy and strategic partnerships. Close the Gap is the NTFB’s 3-year initiative to unite the community to narrow the food gap by providing access to 50 million meals annually.

Founded in 1982, the NTFB is a certified member of Feeding America (formerly America’s Second Harvest – The Nation’s Food Bank Network). Last year 26 million meals were distributed. Each month agency pantries distribute food to more than 50,000 families and on-site meal programs serve 435,000 meals/snacks.

Every dollar donated to the NTFB provides four meals for the hungry. Out of every dollar donated, 97 cents goes directly to hunger relief programs.
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