Comfort Food Classic Dishes Up $86K for Grief’s Journey

Grief’s Journey’s (www.griefsjourney.org) 12th Annual Comfort Food Classic raised over $86,000 for the continued delivery of free grief support programs for the Greater Omaha/Council Bluffs region. Nearly 300 people braved the cold and snow to attend on Sunday, October 14. The competition’s theme for 2018 was “Tailgate Du Jour” and featured five local restaurants serving their best tailgate fare and three local breweries battling for the title trophy. Several volunteers and one community organization were also awarded honors at the event.

The majority of the funds raised were donated by attendees via a paddle raise and a matching challenge gift of $20,000 from The David Spence Cancer Foundation. A combined total of over $40,000 was donated during the paddle raise portion of the event.

Omaha Tap House (Pepperwood location) took home the first place trophy for their brat burger. The restaurant was represented by general manager Brian Musser. Pint Nine Brewing Company won the beer battle competition with their craft brew, Oso Café Coffee Brown. The brewery was represented by Lee Handke and Don Klepser.

Grief’s Journey also recognized several guests with annual awards. 2018 recipients were: Rita Paskowicz – Hall of Fame; Katie Higgins – Facilitator of the Year; Scott Graves – Volunteer of the Year; and the Intercultural Senior Center – Community Organization of the Year. The father-daughter duo of Scott and Shawn McCarville shared their experience with Grief’s Journey that spans 17 years. Scott and Shawn were among the very first families to receive support services from Grief’s Journey (then known as Ted E. Bear Hollow). They expressed their gratitude for the organization and continued hope for the future as Grief’s Journey continues to grow as a community resource.

For more information about Grief’s Journey, visit www.griefsjourney.org or call (402) 502-2773.