Annual Harvest Ball Benefit Tuesday

Southern California food retailers and manufacturers culminate a multimillion dollar fund-raising effort for the City of Hope National Medical Center Tuesday evening with the Annual Harvest Ball at the Century Plaza Hotel in Century City.

Operating as the Food Industries Circle since 1973, volunteers from local supermarket chains and food companies have raised more than $10 million during previous campaigns for the City of Hope in Duarte. The medical center offers specialized treatment for patients suffering from cancer, leukemia, diabetes, heart disease and other illnesses.

This year’s sold-out banquet is expected to generate $1.7 million from the more than 1,800 who will attend.

Monies are also being raised for the medical center from the sale of Coupons of Hope, booklets containing $85 worth of cents-off coupons for national-brand food and household products. The public is invited to join the campaign by purchasing Coupons of Hope at grocery story checkout counters for $5 each.

William S. Davila, president and chief operating officer of the Vons Cos. in El Monte, is in his second year as Food Industries Circle president.