Family center evening to showcase global customs, cuisine

Members of the diverse community that gather weekly at the Brandon Family Support & Resource Center will come together Feb. 25 to promote their cultures.

The center, at 1277 Kingsway Road, is hosting a multicultural night to showcase customs and cuisine from Latin America, Asia and Europe. The event runs from 6 to 8 p.m.

"We've done this every year since the center opened in 2004," said Ligia Vigo, manager for the Brandon resource center. "We celebrate cultural diversity each February as our theme for the month."

Typically, 50 or so people show up for the event, during which native costume, musical instruments and food is showcased. Each family brings a dish and other items they wish to display.

"It's like a global handshake of good feeling extended out to the community," said Mary Scourtes, who oversees the centers for the Healthy Start Coalition of Hillsborough County.

"The families really look forward to this because they are bringing a part of their own heart, a different side of themselves," Scourtes said.

Vigo said the event is free and open to anyone who cares to participate, whether or not they have used the center's services.

"The community really participates and brings in dress and traditional foods from their native country," she said.

Each year the program includes a special program, whether it is a fashion show or a musical demonstration. This year, it will be a puppet show.

Raquel Ache will highlight various cultures in her puppet show.

The Family Support & Resource Center, funded by the Children's Board of Hillsborough County and managed by the Healthy Start Coalition, offers a variety of free programs for families, including art, reading, exercise and crafts.

Anyone wishing to have a display table for the multicultural event can call the center in advance of the event at (813) 740-4634.