A Night to Remember

Our Community Shines Bright at a Starry Night Gala

On Saturday, November 8, under a canopy of twinkling lights and endless community spirit, the Twin Lakes Food Bank’s Starry Night Gala reminded us all what happens when generosity and joy come together for a purpose.

Nearly 300 guests and over 50 volunteers filled the room with laughter, compassion, and a shared commitment to feeding hope in Folsom and beyond. The atmosphere was nothing short of magical—warm, radiant, and full of connection. From the first welcoming smile to the last song of the night, the energy was electric. Guests arrived dressed to impress, ready not only to celebrate but to make a difference. And they did just that.

Together, our incredible supporters raised $288,000 through the Gala and Live Auction combined—the most ever raised in the history of the Twin Lakes Food Bank Gala! This record-breaking achievement will help us meet the growing and urgent needs of our neighbors throughout the year ahead.

Joy, Laughter, and Giving from the Heart

The night was filled with unforgettable moments—heartfelt stories that moved us to tears, friendly bidding battles that had us cheering, and a performance by Groove Therapy that kept everyone dancing well into the evening.

The live auction, led by the energetic Freddie Silveria and Ian Cornell, was a whirlwind of excitement, raising more than $49,000 on its own! When eight handcrafted garden-inspired cocktails hit the auction block—each mixed with fruit and herbs fresh from our own food bank garden—the room erupted with friendly competition. Those creative drinks alone raised another $3,000!

Guests laughed through the Lucky Card Draw, sprinted during the Dessert Dash (raising $22,000 for those sweet treats!), and opened their hearts wide during Fund-A-Need, which brought in an incredible $96,000 to nourish our neighbors.

United by Compassion

Before dinner, Executive Director Lisa Tuter captured the spirit of the evening perfectly:

“In a time of deep division and distrust in our world, there are nearly 300 people in this room with diverse cultural, political, and religious experiences standing united with the shared belief that access to nutritious food is not a privilege—it’s a right for all humanity.”

And that unity shone brighter than any star in the room.

Board President Ron Perry added,

“Our investment tonight has an immediate return. Guests will receive nourishing food this very next week to meet their immediate needs in these uncertain times—food given in a manner that gives them dignity and hope.”

Coming Together in Challenging Times

Right now, our community—and communities across California—are feeling the ripple effects of the temporary hold on CalFresh and SNAP benefits. Each week, we’re seeing more families turning to us for help. It’s truly unprecedented.

But on this night, as we looked around the beautifully lit room, what we saw was hope. Hope reflected in every guest, sponsor, volunteer, and donor who chose to stand with us. This Gala, paired with the incredible outpouring of local food drives and food donations pouring into the food bank, reminds us that even in uncertain times, the spirit of compassion is stronger than ever. As we move into the busy holiday season, we remain both humbled and inspired. The need is growing, but thanks to our compassionate community, so is the hope. Between the Gala’s record-breaking success and the incredible outpouring of food donations from local drives, we’re confident that together, we can continue to meet the rising demand.

To everyone who attended, volunteered, donated, danced, or cheered—thank you. You are the light that makes nights like this possible.