From Whoville to 'White Lotus'! Gingerbread Battle Raises Cash — and a Few Eyebrows

From Whoville to 'White Lotus'! Gingerbread Battle Raises Cash — and a Few Eyebrows

Members of team Grinch Please build their gingerbread house

GALVANIZED BY DRAG performer Duckie DuJour, more than 30 teams gathered in Montrose to build one-of-a-kind gingerbread houses — for a cause.


At the Kindred Montrose church, the seventh annual competition, benefiting the local nonprofit Grace Place, was the biggest yet. Entries included homages to television shows Wednesday, The White Lotus and Yellowstone, plus Dolly Parton, naturally, and other icons. The winner was titled “Grinch Please,” a multi-tiered, table-length depiction of Grinch ascending Mount Crumpit.

Grace Place is a Houston based non-profit who empowers youths of all sexualities and gender identities who are experiencing homelessness. “Grace Place is a special organization, and it’s only able to exist because of the generosity of our Houston community,” said President of the Board of Directors Natalie Ferguson, “and we are incredibly grateful for everyone’s support this year.”

Event sponsor Randy Owens and Family

A young competitor enjoys her sweet creation

Competition team working on gingerbread house

A Yellowstone themed gingerbread house

Grace Place Board President Natalie Ferguson and members of Houston Gaymers

Grace Place Executive Director Courtney Sellers with first place team Grinch Please

Members of team Grinch Please build their gingerbread house

Parties

What is your mission? The Children’s Assessment Center (The CAC) provides healing services to over 6,300 child sexual abuse victims and their families each year. We offer forensic interviewing, family advocacy, mental health services, medical care, and court services at no cost. We facilitate community outreach and prevention training to raise awareness about child abuse in our community and how to keep children safe. Last year, we provided prevention training to over 35,000 community members, including 23,500 children in schools.

Keep Reading Show less

What year was your organization launched? Urban Harvest’s Saturday Farmers Market started in 2004 with just seven vendors, providing an outlet for local farms, community and backyard gardeners to sell fresh produce harvested directly from their soils. Now in its 20th year, the market has grown to be one of the largest markets in Texas, supporting over 100 local farmers, ranchers, and food artisans all from within 180 miles of Houston. The market draws 3,000 customers every Saturday morning and includes many original vendors like Animal Farm, Atkinson Farms, and Wood Duck Farm.

Keep Reading Show less