Annual Blue Jean Ball scheduled for May 7

The College of Agriculture once again is a partner in the Blue Jean Ball fundraiser for Food Finders Food Bank. The fourth annual event will be held May 7 at the Beck Agricultural Center on the grounds of the Purdue Agronomy Center for Research and Education, 4540 U.S. 52 West.

The ball, presented by Valeo Financial Advisors in partnership with the College of Agriculture, is held to increase community awareness of Food Finders and raises funds to ensure the food bank continues to address the needs of food-insecure people. Since its inaugural event in 2013, the Blue Jean Ball has raised more than $146,000 for the food bank.

"In addition to enjoying a fun evening and taking home great auction items, Blue Jean Ball guests have the opportunity to support a worthy cause," says Katy Bunder, CEO of Food Finders. "The support of our community is more important this year than ever before as the food bank prepares to move into new buildings and expand our program outreach efforts to better serve our community."

The food bank distributes more than 7 million pounds of food annually to 86,000 people through the combined efforts of 160 nonprofit organizations and the food bank's direct-service programs.

The evening will be hosted by Tom Turpin, Purdue professor of entomology and creator of the Bug Bowl. It will include a barbecue pork dinner by Shoup's Country Foods, and Jim VanSchepen will host the ball's silent and live auctions. Guests will dance to music provided by Rat Pak Mobile DJs.

Individual and full-table tickets are available. For more information or to order tickets, visit www.food-finders.org or call 765-471-0062.