NATICK — The Family Promise Metrowest 6th Annual Keep the Promise food tasting and auction was held on Nov. 2, to benefit families facing homelessness.

More than 400 guests were treated to food and beverage tastings from nearly 20 local restaurants, including Red Heat Tavern, Burton’s Grill, Dave & Buster’s, Fish Restaurant, Exhibit ‘A’ Brewing, and Lookout Taproom. Items such as ski weekends in New Hampshire and Vermont, Hamilton tickets in NYC, Patriots tickets, and a private chef for an evening were auctioned off to guests in attendance.

The event raised $183,000, more than $30,000 over the fundraising goal. Money raised goes directly to programs that provide shelter, meals, and professional services to families so they can transition out of homelessness. FPM also funds a homelessness prevention program that helps families in the eviction process remain in their homes. This program has already served 20 families in 2019, preventing a total of 44 children from ever becoming homeless.

“Last year we served a total of 34 local families in need through our programs,” said Sue Crossley, executive director of FPM. “The money raised from Keep the Promise will help us grow and enrich our programs into the new year, helping even more families create a new, more hopeful future for their children.”

Crossley presented the annual Cindy Lombardo Volunteer Award to Andre Lamontagne from First Parish in Framingham for his warmth and support of FPM’s families over the years. The first annual FPM Legacy Award was awarded to former board member, Robert Murray for his commitment to the organization’s mission and his leadership of the capital campaign to pay off the mortgage for the FPM Day Center.

The event is made possible by generous local sponsors, including the presenting sponsor, MutualOne Bank and gold sponsors Wells Fargo, Needham Bank, R.W. Holmes Commercial Real Estate, The Village Bank, Metrowest Medical Center and the Lombardo Family.

The next large FPM fundraising event will be the 11th annual Walkathon scheduled for Sunday, April 5.

With the help of 50 local congregations, 3,000 volunteers, and support from the community, Family Promise Metrowest is making a difference in addressing the issue of family homelessness. For more information, visit www.familypromisemetrowest.org.