Savory Support for Backpacks

Santa Barbara’s sweet-life fa§ade too often masks that poverty still exists amid the halcyon vistas and evidence of conspicuous consumption. The Santa Barbara Foodbank (foodbanksbc.org) is trying to rectify that, partially through a program called BackPacks for Kids, so that more than 900 children (ages 5-12) countywide get six meals each weekend when they aren’t able to avail themselves of free school lunch programs. If you’d like to help, of course you can donate directly, or you can donate and enjoy a fantastic wine-and-food event yourself at a fundraiser on Wednesday, October 28, from 5-8 p.m., at the Inn of the Spanish Garden (915 Garden St., 564-4700, spanishgardeninn.com). For $45, you get to help hungry kids and “suffer” through an evening of wine featuring the Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail with Carr, Jaffurs, Kalyra, Kunin, Oreana, Santa Barbara, Summerland, Westerly, and Whitcraft wineries. Of course, there’s food to balance all the wine-bouchon, Seagrass, and Pure Joy Catering will dish up the more substantial fare, while Jessica Foster Confections, crushcakes cupcakery & crushcafe, and Simply Pies will add a lovely sweet finish to the evening. Especially if you “win” stuff at the silent auction.