Football, giving back and Thanksgiving are all reasons to support Taste of the NFL in Tuscaloosa this week. Taste of the NFL is a charity event held every year for the Superbowl in collaboration with E. & J. Gallo Winery. Smaller events are now being held in different cities throughout the football season.

Taste of the NFL is coming to Kozy’s 6 p.m. Monday. Ten percent of the money raised through ticket sales is donated to the West 
Alabama Food Bank.

“We like to help with community projects,” owner Tim Killion said. “It’s important for us as a business.”

Kozy’s is hosting the event with heavy hors d’oeuvres and eight different Gallo wines 
to taste.

“We’re not normally open on Mondays, but we are opening for the event,” Killion said.

Wine distributor United-Johnson Brothers, based out of Birmingham, and local wine store Carpe Vino are collaborating with Kozy’s for this event. Kozy’s works with Carpe Vino for most of their wine tasting events. The companies teamed with the Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports Commission to promote the event.

“It pairs well with Thanksgiving on the horizon,” said Brandt Garrison, the manager of communications and public relations for the Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports Commission. “You know there is going to be a great need on the local food banks with the holidays coming up.”

Wine will be sold at the event, and cases can be ordered through Carpe Vino. Two and a half meals per bottle will be donated. Meaning the NFL donates 30 meals per case to the food bank.

Taste of the NFL will take place on Monday at 6 p.m. at Kozy’s. Tickets to the event are $50.