Community Plates - Food For All 2014 Benefit

The Darien Community Association was the setting for the 2014 Community Plates Fairfield County benefit fundraiser.

The Community Plates Food For All 2014 (#FoodForAll2014) benefit supports the direct-transfer food rescue organization dedicated to ending food insecurity in America. Featuring some of Fairfield County’s newest and best restaurants and the area's top bartenders, this is the showcase benefit to support the fight to end hunger

The event highlights the organization’s goals for the coming year and is their signature fundraising event. as well as the perfect venue for celebrating the year's accomplishments.

Attendees had the opportunity to learn more about Community Plates and their newly developed GoRescue application, the organization’s award-winning web and smartphone enabled interactive food rescue scheduling tool which connects food-service organizations that gather and donate food that would otherwise be wasted; to food runners, who give of their time to pick-up and deliver food donations; to the receiving agencies that ensure donated food gets to those in need throughout the community.

From the moment we arrived to the Darien Community Association and were greeted by Match Restaurant's resident mixologist Adam Patrick, we knew we were in for a fabulous evening

Adam Patrick - Match Restaurant

And, the evening only got better, as we sampled some of the finest wines, cocktails, and small bites from the area's restaurants and food purveyors. Beginning with srichia deviled eggs from the Granola bar to a happy ending with an organic dark roast coffee at Shearwater Coffee Roasters, the benefit was the perfect way to spend an early fall evening under the moon and stars raising money for a worthy cause.

Back garden at the Darien Community Association

Here's just a small view of some of the items we sampled:

The Granola Bar

Back 40 Farm Kitchen

Craft 260

Rizzuto's

Bravo NY Delicatessen

Cask Republic

Chef Geoff Lazlo

Gastro Bar Restaurant and Wine Bar

Hana Tokyo

Little Barn

Local Beer Bar

Mama's Boy

Walrus + Carpenter

Shearwater Organic Coffee Roasters

For more photos of the event visit the Home Place facebook page HERE and while you're there - don't forget to "like" us!


And I would be remiss, if I didn't mention the many  fine people who offered their services for this wonderful event!

Azuca Bistro Latino - Stamford
Back40 Kitchen - Greenwich
Bravo - Stamford
Brick + Wood – Fairfield
Chef Geoff Lazlo - Greenwich
Craft 260 – Fairfield
Gastro Bar – Stamford
Geronimo – Fairfield
Hana Tokyo - Fairfield
Johnny Utah's - Norwalk
Little Barn - Westport
Little Pub - Greenwich
Local Kitchen + Beer Bar – Norwalk/Fairfield
Rizzuto’s Sports Bar + Grill - Stamford
Shearwater Organic Coffee Roasters - Trumbull
Sign of the Whale - Stamford
The Granola Bar - Westport
Walrus & Carpenter - Fairfield
Washington Prime - Norwalk


Marcia Selden Catering - Stamford

Craft Cocktail Bars:
Bailey’s Backyard
Cask Republic
Match
Mama’s Boy


Maximum Exposure Public Relations

Event Venue:
Darien Community Association
274 Middlesex Rd, Darien, CT 06820

If you missed the event - you can still help Click HERE to join the efforts to end hunger!

Contact Info:

Community Plates

165 New Canaan Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06850

Phone: 800•280•329

www.communityplates.org/FFA14 

Join the effort here: http://communityplates.org/join-us/

More information on Community Plates
Community Plates is committed to ending food insecurity in America.  Recognizing the problem as a matter of logistics, not a lack of food, the organization established a volunteer-driven, technology fueled method for transferring surplus food to those in need.  The simple process includes food donors (e.g., grocery stores, restaurants, caterers, bakeries and other food-service establishments), food runners (individuals who pick-up and deliver donated food) and receiving agencies (e.g., soup kitchens, pantries, etc.).  Scheduling is made easy with the web and smartphone enabled Community Plates’ GoRescue technology powered by WhenToManage, which received the 2013 Computerworld Honors Program 21st Century Achievement Award for human services.  Since Community Plates was founded in 2011, more than 700 volunteers have rescued food that equates to 4.9 million meals to date.  Launched and headquartered in Fairfield County, CT, Community Plates also operates in New Haven, CT, Albuquerque, NM and Columbus, OH with plans to expand to four more markets in 2014.  For more information or to get involved visit:  http://communityplates.org.

Wheels for Kristina - A Fundraiser

Kristina Hiller Dowling needs your help.

Kristina Hiller Dowling and "Ozzy"

Tonight at the Elks Club in Glastonbury CT, many of Kristina Hiller Dowling's friends gathered for a great cause to raise funds  to help purchase a used van that can be refitted with hand controls and handicap access.

Kristina is an important person in our family, she's the cousin of my nephew's fiance, and the godmother to their son Owen.

Unfortunately, the cost of a used, refitted van – including the cost of any minor modifications, is approximately $30,000.00 to $40,000.00

The fundraiser was organized by April Holman, a talented musician, who donated her services for this worthwhile cause.

Wheels for Kristina needs YOUR help too.

On the Wheel's for Kristina Facebook page they write:

Kristina was born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, commonly known as “Brittle Bone Disease.” As a result of the disease, Kristina is confined to a wheelchair.... Her lungs are undeveloped, requiring the use of oxygen. She is extremely susceptible to catching ailments from others and, due to her lowered immune state, catching the common cold can and usually does result in pneumonia – a debilitating illness requiring long hospital stays.  

Despite all of this, Kristina has worked tirelessly to overcome the obstacles of her disease. She has thrived as an active and productive member of society. Kristina attended beauty school and volunteered her expertise at local convalescent homes – a venture she has aptly named “Nails on Wheels.” She mentors disabled children at her local middle school. She has rescued and cared for several animals so they would not be euthanized. Additionally, she lives independently and supports herself. Overall, Kristina has always taken the initiative by contributing to the community in every way she can. 

All of this was possible because she was able to independently travel. Kristina had owned a van refitted with hand controls and wheelchair access. The van was no longer safe for use and the computer system has failed. As a result, she can neither travel independently nor continue to participate in the community. This is why we are asking for your help on her behalf. 

If you could also assist, they need YOUR help.

Kristina's family asks that you consider a small donation on her behalf. If you are able to help, thank you!

 If you can only help by sharing this post with your friends, that would also be appreciated.

How to donate?


Link to PayPal:  HERE

Or send your donation to:

Wheels for Kristina c/o People's Bank 40 Welles Street Glastonbury, CT 06033

Legal Notice

• This initiative has been duly exempted from registration under the Connecticut Charitable Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act and otherwise complies with all federal, state, and local laws. All donations will be used solely for the purpose of purchasing Kristina Hiller Dowling a vehicle with sufficient modifications for her use. 

• This initiative is not registered as a “non-profit” or “tax-exempt” organization under 26 U.S.C. § 501(c). Accordingly, donations are not tax-deductible by the donor. 

• Donor agrees that any tax liability, whether local, state, or federal, arising from any donation for any reason, will be the donor’s sole responsibility.

*Please note that Pay Pal takes a small discounted fee off your donation for use of their service.

On behalf of Kristina and her family - I thank you!