More than 1,000 food industry executives, partners and friends came together Oct. 23 at the Anaheim Hilton for Olive Crest‘s ninth annual Pick a Purse, raising $668,872 to support at-risk children and families throughout Southern California.
Rhonda Tagge, national director of corporate development for Olive Crest, told the group that it was the largest Pick a Purse event to date.
Honorary chairs for the event were Sally Hernandez of Superior Grocers, Tinamarie Squieri of Smart & Final and Kendra Doyel of Ralphs Grocery Co., with industry leaders from Food 4 Less, Ralphs, Smart & Final and Superior Grocers helping celebrate.
The Southern California fundraiser’s signature draw: attendance guarantees every guest leaves with a new purse. The mostly female crowd included a contingent of gentlemen who could be spotted FaceTiming their wives for help choosing a purse to bring home. The afternoon of networking and purse picking also included a testimony from a former Olive Crest foster youth whose journey brought the audience to a standing ovation.
The event’s Louis Vuitton grand prize drawing, donated by Magnolia Foods, went to Angie King of Crossmark.
Olive Crest, based in Santa Ana, California, serves at-risk children and families throughout the region, with Pick a Purse among the food industry’s signature gatherings in its support.
Olive Crest 'Pick a Purse' Fundraiser • Anaheim Hilton • Anaheim, CA
