Star Studded Ahi Extravaganza Gala Will Benefit Someone Cares Soup Kitchen

Fundraising Event Being Held to Raise Money to Feed the Hungry

SANTA ANA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Charity, celebrities, fun and feeding the hungry will intersect at the 4^th annual Ahi Extravaganza — a star-studded event to benefit the Someone Cares Soup Kitchen, a Costa Mesa-based nonprofit. The gala will be held on Sunday, September 19, 2010 from 4-8 p.m. at the exclusive Geisha House restaurant in Santa Ana. With celebrity guests, a high-profile silent auction, top-shelf entertainment and a delicious gourmet menu, the event will help the Someone Cares Soup Kitchen to raise funds to feed the hungry in Orange County.

“We are honored to be able to offer healthy meals and other much-needed services to the community”

With special celebrity guests scheduled to attend, the Ahi Extravaganza is not to be missed. Chester Bennington of Linkin Park will make a special appearance and sign autographs for lucky attendees. Mixed martial arts fighter Benji “Razor” Radach will also be on hand to name the lucky winner of a one on one personal training session at LA Boxing.

Bid to End Hunger

A silent auction will feature more than 100 coveted items including: exotic vacation packages, walk-on television parts, winery tours, dinner with celebrities and sports stars and sports memorabilia. LA Boxing has provided year-long club memberships, personal training sessions and Main Event boxing gear for the auction as well as Ryan Sheckler skateboards and clothing.

The Mouth Watering Menu

Fundraiser attendees will enjoy tray-passed ahi appetizers and several ahi dinner selections along with a complimentary bar complete with premium alcohol, sponsored by Straub Distributing/Budweiser. Starbucks will provide coffee, Hansen Beverage Company will provide drinks, tableware will be provided by R.W. Smith & Company, desserts will be sponsored by Newport Bay Bakers and all natural energy drinks will be provided by XOWii. Admission for the event is a $60 tax deductible donation, before September 5^th, 2010, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the hunger relief and tutoring programs of Someone Cares. Tickets will be available for a $100 donation after September 5^th. Check out www.theahiextravanganza.com for more information.

Founded in 1986, the Someone Cares Soup Kitchen has grown to serve more than 400 people, seven days a week. Aiming to raise $66,000 from the Ahi Extravaganza, the goal for Someone Cares is to feed 50,000 homeless and hungry people in Orange County. These challenging economic times have left many people in need; the working poor, families with school-age children, senior citizens, mentally or physically challenged and the homeless all need the services provided by Someone Cares.

“We are honored to be able to offer healthy meals and other much-needed services to the community,” said Shannon Santos, executive director of the Someone Cares Soup Kitchen. “The Ahi Extravaganza gives donors the chance to enjoy a wonderful evening knowing their donation will help provide for the needs of thousands of people.”

Due to generous donations, Someone Cares is able to serve a hot meal with a main entrée, fresh garden salad, soup and dessert to people every day. Today, the Someone Cares Soup Kitchen is the largest soup kitchen in Orange County and also offers tutoring to 45 children (ages 5-8) each day with a full-time staff of three school teachers. Toiletry items are provided every Tuesday to the homeless and hungry, while Someone Cares also gives out clothing to those in need. For more information, visit http://www.someonecareskitchen.org/.

About Someone Cares Soup Kitchen

The mission of Someone Cares Soup Kitchen is simple: to feed a daily nutritional meal to the homeless, the unemployed, the working poor, the mentally challenged, the physically challenged, the senior citizens and most important of all — the children. Driven by the belief that no one should go to bed hungry, on the street or otherwise, the soup kitchen provides a nutritious and tasteful meal to the less fortunate in the Orange County community; a meal that people would be proud to serve their family at home; a well-balanced meal made fresh daily consisting of vegetable soup, lettuce and fruit salads, hearty and filling side dishes, breads and muffins, dessert, milk and water. Located in Costa Mesa, Calif., the Soup Kitchen provides this meal to guests in a friendly, non-threatening atmosphere. For more information, visit www.someonecareskitchen.org.