What is it about food that makes folks feel more generous? Perhaps it's the appeal of breaking bread with fellow do-gooders, of sharing one of life's most basic needs while helping out a deserving charity. At any rate, food-themed fundraisers have become commonplace; this week alone, three separate organizations offer eats and entertainment in exchange for the Almighty Dollar.
Everyday Blessings, a Bay area child caring and placing agency, benefits from the fifth annual Taste of Hope fundraiser, which includes a sumptuous meal and dessert, a wine tasting, live jazz by Stacey Knights, a talk with guest speaker Vicki Hummer of the Florida Institute for Family Attachment, and a silent auction of items ranging from botox treatments to golf packages. Thurs., April 27, 6-9 p.m., TECO Plaza Atrium, 702 N. Franklin St., downtown Tampa, $50, 813-286-1029, www.everybless.org.
Guests of the 16th Century Feast enjoy a tour of the Historical Narvaez/Anderson Indian Mound, talks with guest speakers like the Honorary Consul General of Spain and author Mac Perry, a meal consisting of fare that is of the variety eaten by Florida's original Native-American population and Spanish settlers (prickly pear cacti and yucca included), and storytelling and music by Spanish and Tocobagan Indian re-enactors. Sacred Lands Preservation benefits. 5:30-10 p.m. Sat., April 29, Sacred Lands, 1700 Park St. N., St Petersburg, $35, 727-347-0354, www.sacredlands.info.
More than 25 South Tampa restaurants — including Mad Dogs and Englishmen, Timpano's Italian Chophouse and Rattlefish Raw Bar & Grill — are represented at the Taste of South Tampa event to benefit Meals on Wheels of Tampa, ProStart and the Boys & Girls Club of Tampa. Guests enjoy food and beer samplings while being entertained by magicians, a caricature artist and a psychic, and enjoying live music by Positivity. Sun., April 30, noon-4 p.m., Hyde Park Village, Swann and Dakota avenues, Tampa, $35 general ($10 additional for entrance to the V.I.P. wine-tasting tent), 813-857-4565, www.tasteofsouthtampa.com.
