GREENFIELD — A beer-tasting event held Saturday raised some $35,000 for Hancock County’s only homeless shelter.
The sixth-annual Hops 4 Hope, held in the 4-H Exhibit Hall at the Hancock County Fairgrounds, brought a dozen local and regional breweries to the fairgrounds for those who attended to sample their creations, from IPAs to wheat beers to beers with fruit flavors.
For the first time, event-goers had the option of paying an extra $35 to gain VIP access to the breweries and the spread of food provided by Hancock Health, said Hope House executive director Andrea Mallory. The option maxed out at 125 people, who were permitted to arrive at 3 p.m. rather than the general start time of 4 p.m. The event’s total funds raised surpassed last year’s total of $20,000, according to Daily Reporter archives.
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Fresh sunflowers arranged in growlers — that is, jugs used to transport beer from brewery to home — adorned the bar tables spread through the exhibit hall. Buffet tables arranged between the breweries offered fresh fruit, cured and smoked meats, cheeses, and salmon for the beer-tasters to cleanse their palates.
First-time attendee Mike Dobrovic of Carmel came to the event at the fairgrounds on the recommendation of local friends, he said.
“It’s very nice, well-organized, and the food looks amazing,” he said while waiting in line to choose from the selections offered.
The shelter, focused on providing transitional housing for families in Hancock, Henry, Shelby and Rush counties, was established in 1991 and can house 35 individuals, including 20 people in family-style rooms and 15 men in an open dormitory-style area.
Supporting the shelter’s mission of helping families and individuals experiencing homelessness is crucial this year: just a month ago, localized downpours overtaxed storm drains near the homeless shelter and its attached thrift store, located at 35 E. Pierson St., causing at least $10,000 in damages to the thrift store side of the facility.
Rainwater overflowing from a storm drain flooded up to 2½ inches in parts of the shelter’s thrift store and storage areas, damaging or destroying donations to the thrift store and requiring a water cleanup company to come to the facility, Mallory said.
At least $5,000 in merchandise was damaged or destroyed by the flooding in the 8,000-square-foot thrift shop facility, she said.
The loss of merchandise and having to close the thrift store’s doors while the floodwaters were dried provided another hit to the thrift store’s profits, which are used to cover some 56 percent of the shelter’s yearly budget, according to Daily Reporter archives. The Hope House also partners with 26 other area organizations to provide clothing and other needed items, including providing outfits for job interviews to various individuals.
City crews replaced the storm drain located on the west side of the building in response to the flooding event.
All in all, some 525 people purchased tickets to the event this year, surpassing the ticket sales of last year’s event, Mallory said. The profits of the event, created in part through ticket sales and part through sponsorship, will provide 70 nights of shelter to 20 women, children and families in the coming year, Mallory said.
Tickets ranged from $20 for a “designated driver” package to $75 for the VIP package that allowed the ticket-holder early access to the brews. Those who purchased the general admission tickets at $40 or above received a custom tasting glass along with their access to the 12 breweries and food.
In addition to the VIP time slot, this year’s event also moved three breweries’ booths outside to allow more space for the crowd. All ticket sales were online this year as well, Mallory said, streamlining the sales process.
Those who sprung for the VIP ticket experience said it made for an enjoyable afternoon — it was less crowded, providing the opportunity for craft beer enthusiasts to sample just what they wanted without enduring long lines.
Lisa Mumaugh and Amber Roberts, both of Greenfield, came to the event during the VIP hour with several friends. They’ve attended the event for years, Roberts said.
“It’s a good time with friends and raising money for the Hope House,” she said.
