It’s bling times five in Garner this year, as the Garner Mid-Day Rotary club presents its fifth annual signature event, the Black, White and Bling Gala, on Saturday, Nov. 16 at the Grand Marquise Ballroom.

The “black and white” fun is in the attire, as men don tuxes or suits, while ladies wear black, white or a combo of the two, plus all the bling they can gather.  

The Black, White and Bling Gala supports the Rotary club’s Back Pack Buddies program and provides scholarships for Garner area students.

A few changes are in store for this year’s Gala-goers, organizers say; here’s a short take on the evening’s itinerary.  

Cocktails: The cocktail hour features live music by local artist Dawn Williams.

Dinner: Ticket holders will have a reserved seat for the buffet dinner, program and auction.

Host: Guest emcee Mark Roberts will help share the Back Pack Buddies story and lead the live auction.

Shop: Bid on prize packages or purchase a “Back Pack for a Year,” which feeds a student for the school year.

Diamonds: Get in on a drawing for the grand prize of a diamond ring from Anfesa’s Jewelers, valued at more than $5,000.

Twirl: Dance the night away to music provided by a DJ.

The Back Pack Buddies program provides nutritious weekend meals to homeless and needy students in four Garner elementary schools.

For many of these children, their only meals are the breakfast and lunch they receive at school during the week. Through this program, students receive a backpack filled with nutritiously balanced foods each Friday to take with them for the weekend.

The Mid-Day Rotary Club partners with the Lord of Life Lutheran Church’s Social Concerts Ministry, which shops weekly to fill the pantry. Volunteers sort, pack and distribute the food to the four schools.

The club currently supports meals for 60 students and hopes to increase its support to 70 students after this year’s Gala. The average annual cost to fill back packs is $325 per student.

Tickets for the Black, White and Bling Gala are $75 each; for tickets and more information, visit garnerblackwhiteandblinggala.org