Verizon Center’s “Taste of Eleven” luncheon yesterday marked another successful charitable event for Wizards Care as almost 2,000 people from the surrounding community purchased tickets for the two hour event to sample up to six of the 35 restaurants on site. Proceeds from the $20,000 raised from the luncheon benefited the Capital Area Food Bank as part of the Irene and Abe Pollin initiative this year in providing the means to give one million meals to those in need.

“Yesterday’s luncheon was another great success,” says President of Facilities Gary Handleman. “We increased the attendance for the luncheon, brought aboard more restaurants and supported a worthy cause spearheaded by our owners Irene and Abe Pollin.”

Local restaurants that participated in the luncheon included the following: Aramark, Asia Nine Bar and Lounge, Brasserie Beck, Burma, Cafe Atlantico, Chipotle, Clyde's, Coca-Cola, D'Acqua, District Chophouse, Dunkin' Donuts, ESPN Zone, Fado, Gifford's Ice Cream, Hard Rock Café, Indebleu, Jaleo, La Tasca, Levy Restaurants, Mamma Lucia, Matchbox Vintage Pizza Bistro, McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant, McDonald's, Mehak, Nandos, Noah's Pretzels, Oyamel, Penn Quarter Sports Tavern, Rosa Mexicano, the Greene Turtle Sports Bar and Grille, The Source, Tony Cheng's Seafood Restaurant and Mongolian BBQ, Zaytinya, Zengo and Zola.

“We really want to thank all of the local restaurants and customers who participated in the luncheon,” says Senior Vice President of Community Relations Judy Holland. “Without their help and their support we would not have been able to raise so much money for the Pollin’s initiative with the Capital Area Food Bank. Next year’s ‘Taste of Twelve’ luncheon will be even better.”

The “Taste of Eleven” luncheon was the second annual event for the arena. Last year’s luncheon, the “Taste of Ten” was started in celebration of the tenth anniversary of the building and because of the overwhelming success and response, became an annual charitable event. Each year the goal is to expand upon the success of the previous year, celebrate our local neighbors, and support a great cause.