Mark your calendars and prepare your taste buds because the highly anticipated Sophie’s Street Feast is back for its second annual event in Milton Keynes.
The day, scheduled for Sunday September 22 from 11am to 4pm at the MK City Discovery Centre, Bradwell Abbey, promises to be a fusion of delectable street food, community spirit and charitable endeavours. The event is organised by food blogger Sophie Neal of Sophie.etc and the charity, Toybox, and is completely non-profit with all proceeds shared equally between Toybox and YMCA Milton Keynes.
Toybox works across six countries with children who have been plunged into the chaos of living or working on some of the world’s most dangerous streets. With its head office in Milton Keynes, the charity partners with local in-country organisations who are best placed to help find the most appropriate ways to prevent and help vulnerable children escape from life on the streets.
Lynne Morris OBE, CEO of Toybox, said:
“Sophie’s Street Feast is fast becoming one of our favourite events, and not just because the food is incredible! It’s a wonderful platform for us to promote the work that Toybox does for street children around the world, providing them with hope and dignity. We would like to thank Sophie for joining with us again this year and can’t wait to see the variety of cuisines on offer”.
YMCA is the only provider of supported housing dedicated to young adults aged 18 to 35 in Milton Keynes. Since 1981, it has supported more than 10,000 young people by providing practical, emotional and employment support to help residents belong, contribute and thrive. Expressing delight at being chosen as the new charity partner for 2024, Fundraising Manager at YMCA Milton Keynes Lorraine Devereux emphasised the significance of Sophie’s Street Feast in showcasing the vital work YMCA does with the wider MK community. She said:
“YMCA Milton Keynes is thrilled to have been chosen as a new charity partner for this year’s Sophie’s Street Feast. After the success of last year’s event, we are excited to be involved and look forward to sharing the invaluable work we do supporting local young people. We understand the importance of food in bringing communities together, with our café HomeGround and our successful SoupFest campaign making us ideal partners.”
Building on the resounding success of last year, which saw over 3,000 visitors indulging in a global culinary journey while supporting local charities, the organisers are gearing up for an even more remarkable experience this year. Whilst the line-up of vendors is yet to be announced, visitors can be assured they will find many of Milton Keynes’ street food scene favourites there on the day.
One of the exciting developments for 2024 is the new sponsor, QLM Search, who join 2023’s headline sponsor, Brioche Pasquier. QLM Search is a leading executive search firm committed to connecting exceptional talent with outstanding organisations. Their support as a Headline Sponsor for Sophie’s Street Feast reflects their dedication to community engagement and charitable causes.
Sean Lydon, Managing Director, said:
“At QLM Search, we believe in the power of community and the positive impact it can have on individuals. We are thrilled to be the Headline Sponsor for Sophie’s Street Feast and support local charities like YMCA MK. Our commitment to fostering community wellbeing aligns perfectly with the spirit of this event, and we are excited to be part of such a meaningful celebration.”
Brioche Pasquier was founded in in 1936 by Gabriel Pasquier in a small village bakery in Les Cerqueux, France. In 1974, his sons built the family business into Brioche Pasquier, which is now the number one brioche brand and employs over 3,000 people worldwide. When asked about the firm’s involvement with the event, Ryan Peters, Managing Director, said:
“At Brioche Pasquier, community isn’t just a word; it’s the rhythm that beats in the heart of our company. We’re not just bakers; we’re partners, actively involved in supporting local charities, businesses and events, reinforcing our dedication to having a positive impact on the area surrounding its factories. The recent expansion of the UK headquarters further demonstrates Brioche Pasquier’s commitment to the region and its people.”
For Milton Keynes businesses like QLM Search and Brioche Pasquier, Sophie’s Street Feast offers more than just an opportunity to enjoy delicious food; it serves as a platform to amplify their corporate social responsibility initiatives. The team managing Sophie’s Street Feast are keen to hear from other Milton Keynes businesses and individuals eager to be part of this year’s event. To express your interest in the various sponsorship opportunities available this year, email events@toybox.org.
Sophie Neal, the driving force behind Sophie etc. and a key figure in organising the event, reflected on the heartwarming spectacle of last year’s gathering. Sophie said:
“It was an incredible sight last September to bring together over 3,000 local people to celebrate the variety of local food, as well as raise awareness for local charities, including our partner Toybox,”
For enquiries regarding sponsorship opportunities, contact events@toybox.org
To read Sophie’s food blog visit the website here
