Drafting in the face of hunger

Lolita Harper

Jerry Kolbly is proud of the Newport Beach blond he is bringing to

the Food, Wine and Micro-Brew Fest at South Coast Plaza on Thursday.

And why wouldn’t he be? It just happens to be one of the signature

beers at Kolbly’s popular peninsula hot spot, Newport Beach Brewing

Co., and one he can’t wait to promote at the annual charity event.

The annual Food, Wine and Microbrew Fest was designed to address

the local need for charitable donations. At the event, many Orange

County restaurants, regional vineyards and microbreweries will serve

up samples of their specialties to raise funds and awareness during

Hunger Awareness Month. Guests will also be treated to live music and

dancing.

The event will benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County

-- the largest hunger relief organization in the county -- which

collects and distributes food to about 200,000 people per month, food

bank spokeswoman Marcella Barba said.

Despite Orange County’s wealth, Barba said the bank has seen an

increase in hungry people in the past year. Officials have reported

an increase of 10,000 food bank recipients per month in the past

year. With the lagging economy, Barba estimates that more than

450,000 county residents, mainly children and seniors, will be at

risk of hunger and malnutrition every month.

Food bank officials can produce 30 meals for each dollar raised at

the event, Barba said. And with tickets starting at $40 a person, she

hopes for another ground-breaking fund-raiser.

Kolbly said he enjoys featuring his product at the festival year

after year because he accomplishes three crucial tasks at once:

helping a charitable organization, marketing signature brews and,

most important, having a good time.

“We’ve been doing this for years,” Kolbly said. “The people are

great and it’s a lot of fun.”

Mike Stein, the area business manager for Robert Mondavi Winery,

said the company is proud to help the Second Harvest Food Bank. Stein

said it is also good to mingle with local restaurateurs, many of whom

serve various Mondavi wines.

Stein said he will showcase a special Chilean wine, Caliterra, as

well as the leading Woodbridge brand.