Taste of the Twin Cities is sponsored by the Pilot Club of the Twin Cities, a part of the Pilot International organization.  Pilot International is an innovative volunteer service organization that does more than just have meetings and provide networking opportunities with friends and associates. Pilot members take an active part in making communities a better place to live ... today and tomorrow. The service focus of Pilot International is brain-related disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, chemical dependency, traumatic brain injuries, developmental, emotional, and mental disabilities.

Pilot International was founded and chartered in 1921 as an international service organization.  Today, Pilot International has approximately 500 clubs and more than 25,000 adult and youth members.

Our Mission: To improve the quality of life in communities throughout the world.

The Pilot Club of the Twin Cities

     Chartered in 1980 by the Pilot Club of Monroe, Louisiana, the Pilot Club of the Twin Cities has long been known for its innovative initiatives to friendship and service throughout Monroe, West Monroe and Ouachita Parish.

     The Pilot Club of the Twin Cities was the first organization in Ouachita Parish to answer the call of President Reagan for clubs and businesses to adopt schools in their community to offer support to them financially and in any other capacity as needed.  In 1985 the Pilot Club of the Twin Cities adopted Lida Benton Elementary School as its first adopted school.  Lida Benton has since closed and the Pilot Club of the Twin Cities now has Riser Middle School and Riverbend Elementary as its adopted schools.

     First undertaken as an education project, the Pilot Club of the Twin Cities held the first Ouachita Parish Junior Miss scholarship program in 1985.  The Junior Miss Program has become one of the premier projects of the club by providing scholarship opportunities to outstanding juniors and to encourage personal development through the Be Your Best Self outreach program.

     The interest of our youth continues to be a primary focus of the Pilot Club of the Twin Cities.  Through the sponsorship of the Anchor Club of the Twin Cities (the first parish-wide Anchor Club in the Louisiana District), Twin Cities Pilots recognize the value of extending friendship and service to a younger generation. Membership in an Anchor Club allows young people to make a dynamic difference in their world through volunteer service...and have FUN while helping others. Anchors learn valuable skills that prepare them to be good citizens for the rest of their lives. They have opportunities to lead and organize service projects and play active roles in club programs. Often they work side by side with their sponsoring Pilot Clubs to promote awareness and provide hands on service to people with Brain-Related Disorders.

     There have been numerous fundraisers throughout the history of the Pilot Club of the Twin Cities.  Most recently, the Taste of the Twin Cities has become its primary fundraiser and has been most successful. 

     While busy sharing friendship and service through such projects as the Back to School Shopping Spree, participation in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, the Alzheimer's Memory Walk, Project Read, and the Girls Scouts, Twin Cities Pilots serve on the boards of the Alzheimer's Association, YWCA, Mayor's Commission for the Disabled, and the Adopt-a-School Task Committee for Ouachita Parish.