July 01, 2024

Columbia, SC - The Mental Illness Recovery Center, Inc. (MIRCI), a leading mental health nonprofit addressing mental illness and housing instability in Columbia, is proud to be honored as the featured nonprofit organization at this year’s Taste of the South food festival in Washington, D.C on Saturday, July 27, 2024.

The Taste of the South event dates back to the 1980s, when a group of "southern transplants" in Washington, D.C. longed to share their food and culture with fellow Washingtonians. People lined up around the block to taste the food at the first festival, and the event organizers donated the proceeds to charity. Since then, the festival has grown significantly, donating millions of dollars to southern charities since its inception.

This year’s festival theme is Mental Health, with South Carolina as the featured state. As a result, organizers have selected MIRCI as its featured nonprofit to receive unrestricted funding in an amount to be disclosed at the gala.

“When I first learned of Mirci’s selection from Alex Stroman, Chair of the SC Committee for Taste of the South, I was in shock.” said Mirci CEO, Julie Ann Avin. “Not only was Mirci chosen as a recipient, but as the featured nonprofit. I think I called back several times to be sure I hadn’t misunderstood! We are absolutely over the moon thrilled to receive this honor among the southern states and DC nonprofits.”

MIRCI invites community members, and media representatives to join them in celebrating this recognition at the Taste of the South event in Washington, D.C. Tickets can be purchased at www.tasteofthesouth.org. 

For more information about the Mental Illness Recovery Center, Inc. and its services, please visit www.mirci.org or contact mail@mirci.org.

Mental Illness Recovery Center, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting individuals with mental illness in achieving and maintaining recovery through comprehensive services, support, and advocacy. Mirci hosts the only CARF accredited Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program in South Carolina, providing evidence-based, person-centered behavioral healthcare to those not successfully served by traditional outpatient treatment. Since its founding, MIRCI has been committed to improving the quality of life for those affected by mental illness and homelessness.