Twilight Dinner series continues, with ‘crucial impact’ on Centre Safe
Centre Safe’s Twilight Dinner series is back, with two dinners already in the books and tickets currently available for an additional two, open-to-the-public events.
On Thursday, April 23, diners will gather at Pine Grove Hall for a three-course, seasonal menu. Then, on Saturday, June 13, Joy Vincent Killian and Richard Killian will host a gourmet meal in State College with a Pennsylvania harvest theme. The entirety of all ticket proceeds benefits Centre Safe and its mission to “empower survivors of sexual violence, relationship violence and stalking and to work toward the elimination of such violence.”
“The two dinners so far that have happened, really helped kick [fundraising] off,” Centre Safe Executive Director Jennifer Pencek said. “We sold out for both, which is wonderful, so we’re hoping we can keep that pattern going strong. ... The hosts are doing such wonderful jobs. All the dinners are very unique. They each have their own theme, their own menu, their own vibe. There’s definitely something for everyone.”
In addition to the events on the calendar, some community members are also hosting private dinners to benefit Centre Safe (just for the hosts’ preferred guests), and the organization welcomes additional hosts for future public or private events.
“We try to make the process as easy and simplified as possible, so a lot of it is up to the hosts,” Pencek said. “Hosts cover the expense of the actual dinner, whether they’re hosting at their home or ... at a location ... and then ticket prices are $125 per person. ... Even if they’re hosting a private dinner, each person attending is expected to donate at least $125 and then that comes to Centre Safe. The host can pick the theme, the location, the menu. Again, we try to make it the least amount of stress as humanly possible.”
Centre Safe can assist hosts with marketing their dinner or may have someone attend the dinner on the organization’s behalf to discuss its work. Dinners can be any size and, in addition to being either private or open to the public, a hybrid option is likewise available, with a limited number of tickets made available to the community.
The goal is to raise $20,000 through the Twilight Dinner series, an amount crucial to Centre Safe’s work throughout the county.
“It helps us be able to really, honestly, provide that safety net for thousands of victims and survivors every single year. We very intentionally don’t do an extensive list of fundraising events, per se, during the year. Twilight Dinners really are Centre Safe’s signature event. We are known for these dinners and it really just provides such vital funding for us,” Pencek said.
The funding raised supports operational expenses and services such as providing shelter and housing, counseling, 24-hour hotline services, outreach and education and more. Every year, Centre Safe supports approximately 900 domestic violence survivors, 200 sexual assault survivors and 200 individuals or families in need of shelter and housing, while taking 1,200-1,500 calls on the Centre Safe hotline.
“You literally are having a really crucial impact on these victims and survivors, and that impact can be generational,” Pencek noted of Twilight Dinners hosts and attendees’ contributions. “I’ve had calls since I’ve been at Centre Safe from people who are all grown up and they say, ‘I stayed in your shelter when I was a kid with my mom,’ for example, ‘and you all were so kind and you helped us so much, and now I just wanted to let you know that we’re doing really well.’
“Even just by purchasing a ticket or donating to the Twilight Dinner Fund, that has that potential to make a generational impact.”
Centre Safe is currently marking 50 years in operation, a celebration that began in 2025 and recognizes the original and initial expansion of its programs and services. But even with 50 years of successfully serving the community under its belt, that doesn’t mean that Centre Safe doesn’t still face challenges. Over the last year, the organization has weathered a federal government shutdown, Pennsylvania state budget impasse and similar threats to funding — but just as Centre Safe supports the community, so does Happy Valley support Centre Safe.
“Centre Safe was able to make it through, but that’s only because of the community believing in us and supporting us,” Pencek said. “Centre Safe has only lasted 50 years because of the incredibly hard work of staff, but also because the community has seen a need for five decades to make sure that victims and survivors are seen and heard — we only get to move forward and last another 50 years the same way.”
Purchase tickets for upcoming Twilight Dinners by visiting www.centresafe.org/twilight-dinners/, or calling Centre Safe directly at 814-238-7066 (donations without a ticket purchase can also be made on the Centre Safe website). Those interested in hosting a Twilight Dinners event can email Pencek at jpencek@centresafe.org.
Holly Riddle is a freelance food, travel and lifestyle writer. She can be reached at holly.ridd@gmail.com.