RALEIGH, N.C. – Nov. 20, 2015 – Triangle Family Services (TFS) will host its 13th annual Gingerbread Benefit on Sunday, Dec. 6 at The Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary, North Carolina. The daylong fundraiser features more than 20 elaborate handmade gingerbread houses created by area celebrity chefs.

TFS is a nonprofit dedicated to “Building a Stronger Community by Strengthening the Family.” Proceeds from the event will help TFS support families in need by offering them financial counseling, emergency housing assistance, supervised visitation, mental health treatment and counseling for those affected by domestic violence.

“The Gingerbread Benefit is a great way to kick off the holiday season. The community loves coming out to see the incredible gingerbread houses, and we have some fantastic auction items this year. This is definitely something the community looks forward to each year,” said Alice Lutz, CEO of TFS. “The donations from the benefit help us to provide a safety net for families in crisis. The support of the community means so much and we hope everyone can join us on Dec. 6.”

The Umstead Hotel and Spa, the 2015 Presenting Sponsor for the Gingerbread Benefit, has been the host of the event for the past five years.

Three unique events will take place throughout the Benefit:

Gingerbread House Sneak Preview

The “Sneak Preview” will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Attendees will be the first to see 13th anniversary gingerbread houses, designed by the Triangle’s finest chefs and bakers, enjoy festive holiday music and vote for their favorite house. Tickets are $25 per guest.

Santa’s Gingerbread Workshop

Santa’s Gingerbread Workshop will take place from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Children will be able to decorate and take home their own gingerbread houses as they listen to Santa share traditional holiday stories. Each child will be greeted by Santa’s helpers and will receive an individual picture with Santa. Tickets are currently sold out.

Evening Gingerbread Benefit

The evening Gingerbread Benefit, for adults only, will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to view the exquisite gingerbread houses as well as bid on an extensive list of live and silent auction items, including jewelry, exciting travel and getaways, dining and sports items while enjoying holiday music, beer and wine. The Umstead’s top chefs will also be preparing savory delicacies for the event. Tickets cost $125 per guest.

“Assisting families in crisis is at the core of what we do daily – keeping families in their homes is a key component of our assistance. The gingerbread houses are symbolic of how we keep families safe and provide direct assistance for housing,” Lutz said. “Just $500 can prevent a family from becoming homeless and $1,500 can provide mental health treatment for a year for a child. Preventing foreclosure for a neighbor and keeping a family in their home is priceless.”

All proceeds from the evening will support the programs of Triangle Family Services. For more information about the benefit or to purchase tickets for any of the events, visit http://tfsnc.org.

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Triangle Family Services’ Twitter Page:

http://www.twitter.com/TFSNC

Triangle Family Services’ Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/TriangleFamilyServices

About Triangle Family Services:

For 78 years, Triangle Family Services has served as a safety net in the community for the most vulnerable families. Its mission, “Building a stronger community by strengthening the family,” is fulfilled by providing programs in three key areas: financial stability, family safety and mental health services. Last year alone, Triangle Family Services served more than 13,000 Triangle area residents, with 87 percent living below the poverty level. If you and your family had a crisis, would you know where to turn? For 78 years, TFS has provided a safety net of effective services through 9 programs in 3 service areas, Family Safety, Financial Stability, and Mental Health. If you or someone you care about is experiencing a crisis, please email me directly at alutz@tfsnc.org. We are here for you. It may not be your crisis but it is your community. Find out more at http://tfsnc.org.

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