the way out gala 2025

alice waters

honoring

Sunday
March 30, 2025

In its 10th year, The Way Out Gala is raising funds for The Salvation Army’s groundbreaking family services and homeless initiatives. Because every child deserves a childhood, The Salvation Army offers a range of programs focused on children and families. These programs ensure immediate access to life-changing care, empowering participants to break free from addiction, abuse, and poverty, creating opportunities to reclaim potential, and reigniting hope for a brighter future.

This year, we are honored to celebrate Alice Waters, a visionary leader whose dedication to transforming the lives of children through nutrition aligns seamlessly with our mission. As the founder of the Edible Schoolyard, Alice has pioneered a model that integrates gardening and cooking into school curricula, providing students with fresh, healthy meals and essential nutritional education. Her commitment to offering free meals and fostering a deeper understanding of food’s role in health and well-being exemplifies the values we hold dear at The Salvation Army of Alameda. The Way Out Gala is dedicated to transforming lives and inspiring lasting change, much like Alice's efforts to nurture and empower the next generation.

Sunday, March 30, 2025

VIP Reception
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm

Cocktails, Silent Auction Reception and Dinner
5:30 pm

mission

The mission of The Salvation Army of Alameda County is to provide compassionate support and essential & disaster services to individuals and families in need, empowering them to overcome challenges and achieve lasting stability. Through housing, food assistance, education, and holistic care, we strive to uplift the community and offer hope for a better future.

goal

The goal of The Way Out Gala 2025 is to secure vital financial support that strengthens The Salvation Army of Alameda County's capacity to deliver life-changing services. Funds raised will directly enhance programs for both children and adults that offer education, shelter, food security, and vocational training, while keeping families united and empowering individuals to achieve independence and stability. By supporting the gala, donors will play a pivotal role in uplifting local communities and ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to build a brighter, more secure future.

Alice Waters

ALICE WATERS

Alice Waters is a celebrated chef, food activist, and the founder of Chez Panisse restaurant and the Edible Schoolyard Project. She is widely regarded as the pioneer of “California Cuisine” and a champion of local, organic produce. Her remarkable achievements include being the first woman to receive the prestigious James Beard Foundation's Best Chef in America award, induction into the National Women's Hall of Fame, and recognition with Bon Appetit magazine's Lifetime Achievement Award.

Waters had time to devote herself to other facets of food activism, such as the Garden Project, which provided produce to the San Francisco County jail and work opportunities to its former inmates. In 1996, to celebrate the restaurant’s 25th anniversary, Waters founded the Chez Panisse Foundation, which funded programs that educated young people on responsible agriculture.

Waters' lifelong dedication to promoting equitable, sustainable, and organic food has transformed the food industry and the way people view food. Her educational programs have made a lasting impact on children and adults alike. The Edible Schoolyard Project, for example, has empowered countless children in Alameda County and beyond to learn about the importance of nutrition and environmental sustainability.

 FAQs

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  • Debbie Kelley, Event Chair

    e: [email protected]
    t: 510-604-6046

  • The Way Out 2025 will be held at the iconic Claremont Country Club. 5295 Broadway Terrace, Oakland, CA 94618

  • Cocktail attire. No denim, please, per club policy.

  • There is complimentary self-parking at the event.