A Night of Inspiration at the 12th Annual Gala of Hope
In the heart of downtown Raleigh, more than 260 guests gathered Saturday evening at Market Hall for the Catholic Charities 12th Annual Gala of Hope, an event that blended celebration with purpose, raising critical funds to support neighbors across central and eastern North Carolina.
The evening opened with a lively cocktail reception before guests were welcomed by WRAL anchor and former Catholic Charities board member Ken Smith, who served as master of ceremonies. “Tonight, you’ll hear stories of compassion and resilience, stories that remind us how Catholic Charities provides help and creates hope for nearly 300,000 individuals each year,” Smith said, setting the tone for the night’s program.
Board Chair Lionel Randolph followed with heartfelt remarks emphasizing the theme of hope, highlighting how it was a fitting focus for this moment when so many families are struggling to afford nutritious meals or rebuild after hardship. Guests then joined in prayer led by Catholic Charities Board Member, Msgr. Joseph Ntuwa, grounding the evening in gratitude and community.
Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama, who serves as president of the Catholic Charities Board of Directors, shared reflections on how hope is lived through action. He shared personal reflections about key Catholic Charities programming including Disaster Services, Food Pantry Services, and Immigration Legal Services.
Volunteer speaker Brent Heiser, who serves weekly at the Durham Community Food Pantry, offered a personal glimpse into that hope in action. Recently named Volunteer of the Year by The Triangle Nonprofit and Volunteer Leadership Center, Heiser described the joy of serving his neighbors. Heiser was joined on stage by Manny Lopez, Warehouse Associate for the Durham Community Food Pantry, who highlighted the increased need food pantries are currently experiencing.
The night’s keynote came from Lisa Perkins, CEO of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh, who detailed the various ways that the food pantry program creates hope for our neighbors in need. In her remarks, Perkins unveiled their latest initiative, the Nourishing Our Neighbors campaign, now over 80% toward its $6 million goal. Perkins also introduced Savor, a new food truck and social enterprise that will fund mobile food pantry operations across the diocese. “Our vision is to one day have a fleet of Savor Food Trucks, fueling both nourishment and hope across eastern North Carolina,” she announced.
By the end of the evening, guests had helped raise more than $250,000 to support Catholic Charities core programs and expand its mission of providing help and creating hope for those most in need.
As the program concluded, the celebration continued with laughter, dancing, and late-night treats from the debuting Savor Food Truck parked along Blake Street. This joyful energy captured the spirit of the Gala of Hope perfectly, an evening rooted in gratitude, generosity, and a shared belief that hope truly transforms lives.
View more photos from the event on our Facebook page!