‘A Taste of Río’ Returns with Evening of Delicious Eats, Brings in Nearly $70,000 for Scholarships, Support Services

June 28, 2022

by: Rio Hondo College

WHITTIER – “A Taste of Río,” the signature event of the Río Hondo College Foundation, astounded guests with an evening of fine foods and drinks on June 17, bringing in nearly $70,000 for student scholarships and other support services.

Foundation officials hosted a crowd of some 400 guests at the College’s campus, where they were met with lively music and bright decorations during the outdoor event. Guests enjoyed a wide variety of tastings including Wilson Creek Winery & Vineyards, Gondola Pizza, Mi Burrito Mexican Grill, Eastaza Coffee and Angry Horse Brewing.

The guests included students, community members, Río Hondo College Board of Trustees staff and administrators, as well as Assemblymember Mike Fong, El Monte Union High School District Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga, Whittier Union High School District Superintendent Dr. Monica Oviedo and other elected officials.

“We are so thankful for the outpouring of support for ‘A Taste of Río,’” Superintendent/President Teresa Dreyfuss said. “The money raised from this event are paramount in providing scholarships and support services to our students. I’m so happy that this marked my ninth year attending this event, which was yet again another great success.”

Dreyfuss also said she felt honored to have attended all nine ‘A Taste of Río’ events and that this latest was a heartfelt and proud way to say goodbye to the campus when she retires on June 30.

“A Taste of Río” began in 2012 as a way to provide additional financial support to students, but was put on hiatus for the last three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s event also included a silent auction, during which guests bid on items such as a Las Vegas getaway, a Nespresso coffee maker, tickets to a Los Angeles Dodgers baseball game and more, raising an additional $8,374.28 for student scholarships and other support services.

“It is so great to have A Taste of Río back after a short hiatus – I greatly missed having the event because it always brings the community together for a good cause. Now that its back, it’s also a neat and fun way to mark the start of summer for the Río Hondo College community,” Board of Trustees President Vicky Santana said. “Thank you to everyone who attended and a special thank you to Superintendent/President Teresa Dreyfuss, for all of her support through the years.”