Samantha Lipka Scholarship Fund

11/11/2023

16 years ago today my daughter died in a car accident. She was pronounced dead at 2:22. If you would like to join me in remembering her please light a candle for her and post a picture of your candle. Samantha Lipka and I would appreciate the action, the love, the compassion and taking a moment to not forget.
I love her with every cell of my body, with every breath I take and from the depths of my soul and my heart.
I hope you’re looking down knowing how much mom loves and misses you,Sammy!
7up⬆️🐞💜💜💜💝

08/15/2023

Hi everyone! This is Linda Lipka, one of the founders of THE TASTE IN FERGUSON along with my husband, John and our partners Bob and Peggy McGartland.
We want to inform all of our amazing volunteers, all the terrific food and drink vendors, all the musical talent, all of our media partners, and our dear friends Tony and Lisa Lonero owners of The Savoy Banquet Center and most of all, ALL OF YOU, our guests… that it has been an amazing 10 year run!
Thanks to the dedication of all we were able to donate not thousands but hundreds of thousands in financial support to children in Ferguson and surrounding areas in educational support from kindergarten to college and support for organizations empowering kids of all ages. We did all of this together in loving memory of our kids who died to soon, Samantha Lipka and Robbie McGartland.
We, the Lipka’s and the McGartlands, are honored to have provided such a great event to our community. Honored and humbled every year at the amazing turnout and will be forever grateful for being such a big part of highlighting community connections on countless levels. The sight of all the happy faces, the sound of laughter and fun and the all the smiles and full tummies will be cherished for the rest of our lives.
As a chapter ends, our farewell of The Taste In Ferguson and the sale of the Savoy, we wish those involved in the next chapter for Ferguson vision, humility, community connection and joy!
Thank you all for allowing us to serve you and for joining us in celebrating our angels.
They will never be forgotten
You will never be forgotten.
The future is open to creating new!
Thank you,
Linda Lipka

09/13/2021

Just want to say a BIG THANK YOU to ALL who bought a box! To all our OUTSTANDING volunteers who have super sore feet because of all the hard work. To all our SPONSORS who never quit believing in our mission and a GRATEFUL HEART to all our restaurants that stepped up to be included. The thanks of the taste in FERGUSON organizers is sincere and heartfelt but even more so from the kids and families who are able to see a change in their futures because of all of you.
THANK YOU

08/14/2021

04/06/2021

02/08/2021

You’ve got the complete support of the Lipka family. You are a breath of fresh air, fresh ideas, and fortitude for the future of Ferguson.
Listen and learn about this man and then support him and a clear future for all corners of Ferguson!

I am thrilled to announce I am running to maintain my position serving as a council member for Ferguson Ward 1. I am honored to have the support of those who have already signed to put my name on the ballot in April and am very optimistic about our future together for Ferguson. I believe firmly that this is an extraordinary town full of resilient and caring people. Together we can grow a better community for us all. Thank you for your continued support! Greater. Together. 🌿

09/13/2020

So I prepped for THE TASTE IN FERGUSON last night and today with awesome volunteers that believe in our mission, knew are kids and are connected by heart strings that can NEVER be broken.
Roxanne Gómez-Vasquez
Afterwards I went and spent time with friends who knew my daughter and willingly spent the evening with John and i, before this event sharing stories about my daughter that they have heard OVER AND OVER for the last 12 years as if it was the first time. Why? Because they are awesome. Because they care. And because they love John and I so much to know what we need the nights before the TASTE IN FERGUSON EVENT reminiscing about our daughter as salve to our souls. They give that to John and I without reserve. It’s a blessing and cathartic.
This event does so many awesome things, helps so many terrific strangers, brings together so many wonderful people from all corners of St. Louis, but the original reason for all the efforts still brings a bittersweet joy and tear, a pain of loss that will never scab over. The loss of Robbie McGartland and Samantha Lipka for Bob Mcgartland and Peggy McGartland, John Lipka and myself is ever present as we revel in the joy of turning our sorrow into victories with the help of each and every person who lends their time, dollars and expertise to our goals.
Thank you!
Tomorrow will be a BEAUTIFUL day in a world that craves beauty!!
I live and breath in this example of community and humanity!
I thank everyone from the bottom of my heart.
Thank you all!
Bob Mcgartland
Mark Byrne
Pam Hartley
Stephen Garrett
Mary Connor Skees
Kelly McKinnon Schlereth
Mike McGrath
Tony Lonereo
John Lipka
Meeka
Jeff Finnegan
Simonne Kimble
Matt Sanders

09/08/2020

Yummy!

08/27/2020

08/26/2020