“Sip, Savor, Serve” was the theme of the fundraising event at the Paul Mahder Gallery last Thursday. About 150 guests moved through the rooms where gallery art was on display, chatting, sampling canapés and wine, and catching up. The Christian Foley-Beining Music Ensemble played background jazz, and the Downtown Bakery and Creamery catered the event.
While the gallery has held fundraisers in the past, this one focused not on the well-to-do, but rather on those who do without.
The fundraiser addressed the aging kitchen at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, which is a key element in the church’s care for the homeless. The kitchen, which in 2025 served 6,000 free meals to the people of Healdsburg, needs $30,000 to upgrade and modernize its stove, ventilation, plumbing—in short, everything. Indications so far are that the goal was met.
The Rev. Sally Hubbell, rector of St. Paul’s, acknowledged her appreciation of the many people at the fundraiser who were from the wider community and not “parishioners” of the historic Episcopal church. “Our programs serve the entire Healdsburg community, and we are so fortunate that people in the community recognize our efforts,” she said.
The kitchen serves a soup-and-bread lunch on Tuesdays when the “shower ministry” is open, and distributes food on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. St. Paul’s also regularly rotates with other churches belonging to Healdsburg Shared Ministries to serve a full dinner every Sunday.
Auction items included everything from a three-night luxury residence stay at Boulders Resort and Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona, to gift certificates at Plaza-side clothing stores.
“While Healdsburg is a delightful destination and home to many people who have much, there are in fact residents who are on society’s margins,” said Mary Southall, for the church. “These people are served by the outreach of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, with free meals and a place to have the small luxury of taking a hot shower.”
Sponsors provided the funds to produce the event. Donations to help Healdsburg’s marginalized population may be made any time at onrealm.org/stpaulshealdsburg/-/form/give/fundraiser2026.
