Canton Community Foundation to Benefit Gleaners and Open Door Ministry Food Pantry

First-run movies, a cocktail reception and a strolling dinner all with a disco theme are in store for guests of the Canton Community Foundation at the 5th Annual Magical Night of the Stars Sunday, Jan. 27 to benefit Gleaners Community Food Bank and Open Door Ministry Food Pantry.

The retro disco celebration begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Emagine Theatre, 39535 Ford Road, Canton. Guests will enter the event with a walk on the Hollywood red carpet and enjoy a cocktail reception followed by a strolling gourmet dinner.

“We had a sell-out crowd at last year’s Magical Night event and we are hoping for the same this year,” said CCF President Joan Noricks. “Guests are encouraged to dig out their leisure suits and halter dresses and come humming their favorite Bee Gee’s tune. Emagine Canton makes this night very special for the foundation and its guests.”

While guests enjoy the atmosphere, the food and camaraderie, the purpose of the celebration is to benefit the 35-year-old Gleaners and the Canton-based Open Door Ministry Food Pantry.

“This is such an important event for us and for the food pantries, especially when the economy has created such a need for struggling families,” Noricks said.  “Our local Open Door Ministry Food Pantry typically serves 1,300 people each week and they are in a capital campaign to pay for their own building.”

Gleaners, which supplies more than 500 area food banks including Open Door, has been the beneficiary of the Magical Night since the event’s beginning. Over the years CCF has provided some $25,000 to help the large food bank support smaller, local distribution centers.

While helping Gleaners and Open Door, guests will be treated to some fun activities, including a photo booth that provides a strip of at least four photographs for those who choose to pull the curtain and take a seat wearing era appropriate props. A “Lucky Star” raffle – first introduced at the 2011 event – will entertain guests on their favorite 70’s celebrity.

Guests will be treated to the gourmet dinner with a variety of food stations, followed by a dessert bar for sweet tooths. At about 8:15 p.m. guests will begin making their way to the first-run movie of their choice to complete the evening.

Tickets are $100 per person and include dinner, dessert, beverages, popcorn, entertainment and a movie. Sponsorships are available for the event. To reserve tickets, please register on CCF’s website at www.cantonfoundation.org. For more information, contact CCF at 734-495-1200.