Our Why

The History & Purpose Behind Beer & Bites

The South Sound is a special place. We share a strong sense of community and believe in the importance of taking care of our own. Year after year we have seen our community and commitment to caring for one another grow. 

Beer & Bites developed through a friendship between local contractor and developer Gordon Rush and Tacoma-based oncologist Frank Senecal. Their shared desire to make new options available to local cancer patients launched what has rapidly become one of the area’s most popular fundraising events.

In 2012 Gordon called on 50 of his friends and vendors to join him and his wife Traci at Narrows Brewing to hear Frank’s vision for providing local cancer research and treatment options in the South Sound. The first Beer & Bites raised around $50,000 and started a conversation which has blossomed into incredible community support for the South Sound Cancer Awareness Research Expansion (CARE) Foundation. Many of those original 50 supporters are still active donors today.

From Corporate Sponsors who committed $350,000 to the event in 2022 to the fund-a-need donors who added an additional $550,000, more than $1.17 million was raised during our first live event since 2019.

Over the years we have – together – raised more than $7.6 million to bring important research to our area and to allow cancer patients to stay close to home, surrounded by their support systems during some of the most challenging times of their life. 

Our friends and family are living longer. And, they are living better lives.

Thank you for helping us open new doors and for partnering with us in our quest for a cure. No one should fight cancer alone.