Arcata Taste of the Holidays Draws Community, Raises Funds for Kids

The 31st annual Taste of the Holidays took place Wednesday evening at the Arcata Community Center, bringing residents together for food, drink and fundraising. The event showcased local chefs, food makers and beverage producers in a community fundraiser run by Arcata Sunrise Rotary. Proceeds from the evening will support Rotary programs, including Backpacks for Kids, a local effort to provide food for children outside school hours.

Organizers had sold tickets through arcatasunrise.org and had encouraged early purchase because the event has historically sold out. Attendance at the event reflects a long standing community appetite for seasonal gatherings that highlight downtown businesses while channeling energy and resources toward local needs. For many vendors the evening offered visibility and direct sales during a critical season for small enterprises.

Beyond the celebration of local cuisine, the event carries tangible public health implications. Funds raised for Backpacks for Kids help underwrite food assistance that supports children who face weekend and holiday hunger, a condition linked to poorer health outcomes and challenges in school. Community driven fundraisers like this one operate as part of a broader safety net, filling gaps that public programs may not fully cover, and contribute to a local response to food insecurity that is both grassroots and immediate.

The event also underscores equity concerns facing Humboldt County. Rural and lower income neighborhoods often experience higher rates of food instability, and local nonprofits and service clubs have become essential partners in meeting basic needs. By directing funds to targeted programs, the Taste of the Holidays connects the seasonal economy to social supports, while raising awareness among residents about persistent disparities in access to nutritious food.

Public health professionals and community advocates note that sustaining these programs requires steady community engagement and predictable funding. Events that pair cultural celebration with philanthropy can deepen local investment in social services, but they are not a substitute for comprehensive policy solutions at the county and state levels. The fundraiser highlights how civic institutions, small businesses and volunteers collaborate to soften gaps in the safety net, while also pointing to the need for sustained attention to upstream solutions.

As the holidays continue, Arcata Sunrise Rotary and participating vendors will carry forward the proceeds and the relationships built at the Community Center. For residents who missed this year’s event, information about future activities and ticketing is available through arcatasunrise.org, and community leaders say continued participation will be crucial to maintaining programs that support children and families across Humboldt County.