Join us for a fun and memorable formal event.

6 p.m. Saturday March 16, 2013
Lower level of Mankato Design Center on Madison Avenue

Sponsored by MinnStar Bank, Brunton Architects and Bremer Bank.

About 20 local restaurants will serve their tastiest soups. You can sample them all, and cast your vote for the "Best Soup in Mankato" award. In addition you will receive the first edition of the commemorative "Warm Your Heart" bowl.

Join us for complimentary beverages during the social hour. After dinner, there will be live and silent auctions with a wide variety of items up for grabs. Just a few examples:

- Hot air balloon ride
- Vetter Stone wine holder
- One week lodging at a condo in Mazatlan (February 2014)
- Several home improvement packages
- Gas grill
- Wheelbarrow full of liquor
- And MUCH, MUCH MORE!

MVAC has been working hard on behalf of low-income families for nearly 50 years, although we seem to be the best kept secret unless you have needed help. Since the year 2000 the number of people in poverty rose 72% in South Central Minnesota.

Minnesota Valley Action Council is a community action agency, and the key words there are “Community” and “Action.” We believe that by working together as a community, we can accomplish great things. That's why we need to make sure people know that:

• Blue Earth County has one of the highest poverty rates in Minnesota, with nearly 1 in 5 people living in poverty.

• Most of the increase came during the Great Recession, when 6,500 of our neighbors slid from the middle class into poverty.

• But while the need is at historically high levels, government funding for MVAC has decreased 21% on a per-person basis.

• That affects nearly everyone in south central Minnesota. While we work primarily on behalf of low-income families, we spend millions of dollars each year with small, local businesses.

Over the last 50 years, MVAC has brought nearly $500 million into our nine counties. When our funding shrinks, it hurts not only low-income people, but workers and small business owners all across our region.

Join us for a fun and memorable evening. Help MVAC continue to provide assistance to local, low-income families.