euphoria has provided a feast of funding for local nonprofits
Greenville’s food, music and wine festival celebrates 19 years
euphoria has provided a feast of funding for local nonprofits, too
It is a feast for the senses. Food, music and good vibes abound at euphoria each fall through creativity, approachable elegance and a mission that matters.
Morgan Allen, Executive Director of euphoria, says the festival, started by restauranteur Carl Sobocinski and musician Edward McCain, remains true to its mission after 19 years of service. The festival, coming Sept. 19 – 22, benefits local charities through direct grants from its nonprofit organization, Local Boys Do Good (LBDG).
Indeed, they do.
“They really just wanted to have something that would promote Greenville but really focused on giving money back to the community,” Allen says.
That first festival in 2006 started with a small group and high hopes, according to Allen. It resulted in about $20,000 for local charities – impressive, but just the start of the big things to come.
“I think they really realized then that it's also an opportunity to not only give back financially to the community, but make an economic impact as well,” Allen says. “That started becoming their focus over the next couple of years as the festival grew and they got staff.”
In 2022, euphoria had an economic impact of $4.8 million. And last year’s event generated enough money to fund grants in record amounts, all of which fit the parameters of LBDG’s mission to fund initiatives that support sustenance to those in need, educate through music or performing arts, aid children and support the food and beverage industry with mental health support and emergency assistance for workers facing unanticipated crises.
Typically grants go to three or four organizations, but eight grants were awarded in 2024 for a record total of $103,000. The grant cycle will open again in January. Those awarded grants also get the opportunity to raise awareness by having a table at Feast by the Field, one of euphoria’s signature events.
Though the September festival is central to euphoria, events are now held throughout the year.
euphoria’s focus on the food and beverage industry extends to growing the next generation of chefs. The festival partners with Greenville County Schools in the Healthy Lunchtime Throwdown that pairs young chefs with a Michelin-starred chef in a cooking competition. The winner’s creation gets added to the school district’s lunch menu.
“It's just really fun to see these students,” Allen says. “A lot of them don't even understand what a Michelin-starred chef is, but I think it's just very inspiring for them. And I think on the flip side, the chefs enjoy it as well, because they're making an impact on young culinary students that could certainly alter their direction of going forward in the industry, so it's an amazing partnership with them.”
Find tickets and learn more at euphoriagreenville.com.
2024 euphoria Grant Recipients
A Child’s Haven: Breakfast, hot lunch, and snacks are provided five days a week for preschool children with developmental delays.
Feed & Seed: Fresh Food Box programs give Upstate families access to fresh produce, improving nutrition and sustenance.
Giving Kitchen: Emergency assistance to food service workers and their families facing unanticipated crises.
Greenville Symphony Orchestra: “Movers, Shakers, and Noisemakers” is a live orchestral experience for community members with autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental differences.
Mill Village Farms: FoodShare program provides healthy, nutritious foods and nutritional education to thousands of low-income Greenville families and children.
Southern Smoke Foundation: Emergency relief funding and access to mental health services are provided to food and beverage workers facing financial hardship due to a natural disaster, medical emergency, accident, or other unforeseen incident.
Upstate Warrior Solution: Therapeutic Art program teaches children of veterans or first responders healthy coping, emotional release, and mindfulness skills they can apply to their daily lives.
Walt’s Waltz: Recipe book workshops celebrate the community's cultural diversity and promote intergenerational connections through shared meals. Participants can tap into their creativity, build confidence and develop essential coping skills for managing mental health.
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This article originally appeared on Upstate Parent: euphoria has provided a feast of funding for local nonprofits