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SECOND HELPINGS ATLANTA TACKLES FOOD INSECURITY AND WASTE FREE OF CHARGE

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 4/26/22

Atlanta’s Leading Not-For-Profit Food Rescue Organization Continues to Connect Excess Food to Those in Need

Second Helpings Atlanta was born out of a mission to reduce food waste and feed the hungry. What started as a volunteer initiative at Temple Sinai in 2004, officially incorporated as its own 501C3 in 2012, and remains the city’s leading non-profit organization rescuing healthy, nutritious, surplus food and distributing it to those in need through complex supply chain logistics. By diverting food from landfills and providing it to those in need, Second Helpings Atlanta aims to close the gap on food insecurity and keep refuse out of landfills.

“Our deep knowledge of donation nuances and delivery logistics, along with our carefully cultivated relationships with agencies, uniquely positions Second Helpings Atlanta as the frontline food rescue logistics organization in Atlanta,” said Andrea Jaron, executive director of Second Helpings Atlanta.

Every day, hundreds of volunteer drivers rescue food from more than 80 donors, including grocery stores, corporate kitchens, stadiums and big box retailers, and deliver it to more than 40 homeless shelters, food pantries, domestic violence shelters and other nonprofits across the Atlanta metropolitan area. Second Helpings Atlanta currently rescues on average 80,000 pounds of surplus fresh, perishable food each week, which keeps it out of landfills. With efficiency and sustainability in mind, Second Helpings Atlanta developed a 90- Minute Model designed to allow volunteer drivers to make local food rescues and deliveries in 90 minutes or less.

“Our team of dedicated volunteers are the heart of our organization,” continued Jaron. “Together, we hope to create change by helping people think in new ways about food waste and its societal and environmental impact.”

ABOUT SECOND HELPINGS ATLANTA:
Second Helpings Atlanta is a nonprofit food rescue logistics organization dedicated to reducing hunger and food waste in the metro Atlanta area by rescuing healthy, nutritious, surplus food and distributing it to those in need. For more information, please visit SecondHelpingsAtlanta.org or follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

DINING OUT FOR LIFE 2022

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 3/31/22

Open Hand Atlanta encourages the community to dine-in and give back for Dining Out For Life, April 27

 Annual fundraising event Dining Out For Life returns April 27 to support Open Hand Atlanta. Atlantans are encouraged to dine-in at one of the more than 50 participating restaurants or enjoy take-out, curbside pick-up or delivery.

Since 1993, Atlanta-area restaurants have joined together in raising over $3 million in support of Open Hand’s mission to provide community members with healthy meals and nutrition education. Every year, thousands of supporters have dined out for breakfast, lunch and dinner with the knowledge that participating restaurants would donate a portion of their bill to help Open Hand provide nearly 5,000 nutritious meals daily and support their neighbors battling chronic disease and disability to live healthier, more independent lives.

With recent hardships that continue to affect Atlanta’s food service industry, Dining Out For Life’s generous partner restaurants may not be able to give 25% as in years past, but they are committed to giving what they can to support the cause. With this in mind, restaurant-goers are encouraged to consider making a donation of their own on the restaurants’ behalf. This year’s restaurants include Atlanta favorites such as Guac y Margy’s, The General Muir, Local Three, Max Lager’s, Agave and more. A full list of participating restaurant partners can be found here.

This year, Subaru— a longtime supporter and presenting sponsor of Dining Out For Life— and the national Dining Out For Life leadership has selected Atlanta as a spotlight city. National Dining Out For Life spokesperson Mondo Guerra from Project Runway will be in town to promote the local program and spread awareness about the importance of volunteerism.

Ways to Support Open Hand:

For more information on Dining Out For Life and Open Hand, as well as to stay up-to-date on events and volunteer opportunities, please visit www.diningoutforoh.org and www.openhandatlanta.org or connect via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

THE GPC CANOPY SOIRÉE RETURNS TO ZOO ATLANTA THIS MARCH

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 2/27/22

A Philanthropic Evening of Dinner, Cocktails, Dancing, Music, a Raffle and More Hosted by and Benefitting the Grant Park Conservancy, presented by The Rob Smith Team
Friday, March 11, 2022 From 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. 
 The second annual Canopy Soirée hosted by the Grant Park Conservancy (GPC) returns on Friday, March 11, 2022 from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Held at Zoo Atlanta in Savanna Hall overlooking the mesmerizing African Savanna exhibit, the philanthropic fête benefiting the GPC is an exciting evening featuring dinner, dessert, cocktails, a DJ, dancing, raffle prizes and much more in a beautifully decorated ballroom.
A night to remember, funds raised during this year’s event, presented by The Rob Smith Team, will be used to plant over 100 trees to enhance historic Grant Park’s tree canopy, support gazebo-rebuilding, tackle crumbling stonework on the Milledge Fountain wall, and bring the 20th installment of the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival back this August.
The Canopy Soirée is for ages 21 and up and host committee tickets, individual tickets, and tables are on sale now starting at $125 at www.gpconservancy.org/events-programs/canopy-soiree. For more information about the Grant Park Conservancy visit www.gpconservancy.org. Proof of vaccination or negative Covid-19 test required for entry.

SOUTHERN BELLE EXPLORES THE SOUTH’S DIVERSE CULINARY TALENT DURING “BLESS THEIR HEARTS” DINNER SERIES ON MARCH 13

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 2/20/22

Benefiting No Kid Hungry

Chef Joey Ward’s Poncey-Highland Restaurant Brings Together

Talented, Local Guest Chefs for Five-Course Dinner Benefitting No Kid Hungry

Southern Belle invites guests to explore the Southeast’s diverse culinary talent in the next installation of its monthly “Bless Their Hearts” guest chefs dinner series on Sunday, March 13.

“We have an amazing team of local chefs lined up for our March ‘Bless Their Hearts’ dinner,” says Southern Belle chef and owner Joey Ward. “Each is incredibly talented in the kitchen, and I know our guests are going to be impressed by their dishes.”

Each dinner features five courses plus an amuse-bouche for $135 per guest (excluding tax and gratuity), and each chef is responsible for preparing one course. Ten percent of total sales from the evening will be donated to No Kid Hungry to help end childhood hunger in the United States.

Wine pairings will be available for an additional $70. Non-alcoholic pairings also will be available as well as the restaurant’s full cocktail and beverage list.

The dinner is limited to 70 guests with seatings between 4:30-8:30 p.m. Reservations can be made online through Resy. To ensure guest safety, the entire Southern Belle staff is vaccinated and following all CDC guidelines.

Save the date: the next dinner in the series is scheduled for April 24, 2022.

The March “Bless Their Hearts” dinner features:

Chef Justin Dixon of Humble Mumble

Chef Jiyeon Lee of Heirloom Market

Chef Zach Meloy of Dirt Church Ceramics

Chef Nolan Wynn of Banshee

Host chef Joey Ward, Southern Belle + Georgia Boy

MEALS ON WHEELS HOSTS SAVOR AND TASTE AT CHATTAHOOCHE FOOD WORKS – POSTPONED

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 10/10/21

A Modern Twist on Atlanta’s 33-Year-Old Fundraiser

November 5, 2021

Tickets: here.

We are thrilled to announce that on Friday, November 5, MOWA will be back with a modern twist on the 33-year old fundraising event, A Meal to Remember newly branded as SAVOR & TASTE. This extraordinary food and music event will be hosted at The Works and Chattahoochee Food Works on Atlanta’s Upper Westside.

Since 1988, the Meals on Wheels Atlanta community has supported the nonprofit’s efforts to end senior hunger by sponsoring, attending, and donating to A Meal To Remember, the most important fundraiser of the year.

Every year, A Meal To Remember has been the first Friday in November. MOWA has hosted this event at Atlanta venues such as The St. Regis Hotel and Flourish. Guests have enjoyed coursed gourmet dinners prepared by well-known celebrity chefs, accompanied by exquisite wine pairings, while surrounded by the stunning decor and breathtaking flowers. In 2019, MOWA raised almost $800,000.

In 2020, due to the COVID-19, MOWA was not able to host this annual event. While donors still supported MOWA minimally, the financial support was not enough to sustain the organization’s fundamental efforts. At the same time, senior hunger has been on the rise due to the pandemic’s devastating effect.

THIS YEAR’S EVENT FACTS

·     SAVOR is the traditional coursed gourmet dinner, wine pairings, live auction, and live entertainment. SAVOR is located in the Gallery Space at The Works, featuring Chattahoochee Food Works Owner and Emmy and James Beard Award-winning chef Andrew Zimmern alongside Meals on Wheels’ Atlanta award winning chef Robert Gerstenecker. Joining them are three Atlanta-based chefs including Deborah VanTrece of The Catering Company, Chef Matthew Basford from Canoe and Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta Pastry Chef Charles Barrett. SAVOR takes place at 6:30pm.

·     TASTE takes place in the industrial glam food hall, Chattahoochee Food Works owned by partners Robert Montwaid and Andrew Zimmern. Guests will enjoy unlimited curated “tastes” and themed beverages along with live music from over 25 food and beverage vendors in the 22,000 square foot hall. TASTE takes place from7:30pm to Midnight.

PUPS AND PINTS NIGHT AT RED’S BEER GARDEN

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 8/22/21

Celebrating International Dog Day With Cold Brews, Bites, Dog Treats, a Leash Making Station, and More
 
Benefiting the Atlanta Rescue Dog Cafe on Thursday, August 26, 2021
Is there paw-siblly a better combination than dogs, hot dogs and beer? Red Beer Garden doesn’t think so. Located in Benteen Park between Grant Park and East Atlanta, the local, dog-friendly haunt is celebrating International Dog Day on Thursday, August 26th with a Pups and Pints Night. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., pups can gobble up treats in the expansive beer garden while their owners sip on pints of cold brews and indulge in some of Red’s favorite offerings including the BLT Dog, Slaw Dogs Go To Heaven, the Benteen Club, Beyond Meat Nachos and much more. There will also be a leash making station so all pups can leave looking even more fetching. 10% of all sales between 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. will be donated to the Atlanta Rescue Dog Cafe, a non-profit organization with the mission to contribute to the well-being of pets and people everywhere by improving human-animal interaction, reducing the prevalence of animal cruelty, and relieving the strain on local animal shelters. An ulti-mutt night for dog and beer lovers alike, visit redsbeergarden.com for more information.

HAAGEN-DAZS DAY BENEFITING BERT’S BIG ADVENTURE ON JULY 23RD

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 7/14/21

Haagen-Dazs Day

Friday, July 23rd

On Friday, July 23rd, participating Haagen-Dazs shops in Atlanta will donate 50% of sales to Bert’s Big Adventure. Bert’s Big Adventures is a nonprofit organization that provides all-expenses-paid, five-day adventures for children with chronic and terminal illnesses and their families to Walt Disney World. Participating Haagen-Dazs shops include Lenox Square, Perimeter Mall, Town Center at Cobb, Mall of Georgia, North Point Mall, Cumberland Mall, and Cumberland Festival Shopping Center. For additional details, please visit bertsbigadventure.org. 

THE TASTING CARD: JF&CS FUNDRAISER

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 5/9/21

JF&CS (Jewish Family and Career Services) is large nonprofit operating out of the Dunwoody area that offers invaluable human services to people all over Atlanta. This month, JF&CS is holding a fundraiser that is perfect for Atlanta area foodies, The Tasting Card. For the $75 purchase of the virtual card, buyers will receive a 20% discount* at over 70 Atlanta area restaurants and specialty food providers for the 2-week period of May 10th -24th . Participating restaurants include popular eateries such as Grana, Ecco, C&S Seafood, and Bistro Niko, just to name a few. All coupons and the virtual card are housed on our app, The Tasting Card, available for free download on the App Store and Google Play. All proceeds of the card purchase go towards JF&CS’s Zimmerman-Horowitz Independent Living Program, a nonsectarian program designed to help adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities live as independently as possible in shared homes with 24-hr care. They can learn basic life skills, build friendships, and receive the care and support they need. The card is also designed to help bring increased business to these local restaurants who have suffered during COVID-19.


For more information, to see a list of participating restaurants, and to purchase your card, visit www.thetasting.org. To learn more about the Z-H ILP and JF&CS’s services, please visit www.jfcsatl.org/zhilp. Thank you in advance for your support of this wonderful cause and these amazing restaurants!

*Discount exclusive of alcohol, additional restrictions may apply

2021 NIGHT OF SPECTACLES

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 4/21/21

Evening Under The Stars

In Person and Virtual Event

Thursday, May 13 6pm

In Person: Pietra Luxury in Stone, Chamblee, GA

The Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation is excited to announce plans for our annual Night of Spectacles, an evening “Under the Stars” on Thursday, May 13, 2021, as we celebrate local healthcare heroes, frontline medical staff and personnel involved in seeing us through the Covid-19 pandemic. This event will be a hybrid event – limited to 225 participants at PIETRA Luxury in Stone, located in Chamblee Georgia, as well as a virtual event allowing supporters across the State of Georgia (and other locations) to participate. The Live In-Person at PIETRA Luxury in Stone event will provide an opportunity for community leaders to network while raising critical funds to support the GLLF mission. This is in addition to the eye glass and hearing aid help to local Georgians.

The in-person event (limited attendance capacity and safety precautions will be enforced) will be held at Pietra Luxury in Stone in Chamblee, GA:

  • Virtual Event Tickets will be $25 – allowing you to participate in a silent auction, experience an interactive event program and will be eligible to win door prizes.
  • In-Person tickets will be $150/person (features live program, heavy hors d’oeuvres, drinks).  Attendance capacity will be limited for the In-Person event.

About:

Night of Spectacles (NOS) began as a way for the Lighthouse to meet growing patient services funding needs while engaging stakeholders and donors throughout Georgia. The event will support the fundraising needs of patients throughout Georgia who are underinsured or noninsured with vision, vision surgery and hearing programs. The fundraising goal for this year’s Night of Spectacles event is $100,000.

Information/tickets

MOONDOGS HOSTS A TEXAS HOLD’EM CHARITY TOURNAMENT BENEFITTING WINGS FOR LIFE

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 4/17/21

Proceeds Will Benefit Wings for Life, A Non-For-Profit Spinal Cord Research Foundation
 
Thursday, April 29, 2021, Beginning at 9 p.m.

On Thursday, April 29th, avid poker players are invited put their card skills to the test during Moondogs’ Texas Hold’em Charity Tournament benefitting Wings for Life, a not-for-profit spinal cord research foundation that funds world-class scientific research and clinical trials aimed at healing the injured spinal cord.

Beginning at 9 p.m., the decks will be cut and the players will take their seats for a chance to win top tier prizes including a $400 cash prize, Red Bull bag and a Red Bull fitted shirt for first place. Second place will receive a $200 cash prize, Red Bull straw hat and a Wings for Life shirt, while third place will earn a $100 cash prize, Wings for Life hat and a Red Bull shirt.
Players looking to give back even more are able to donate $5 to Wings For Life before the tournament begins and receive a 5,000 chip (one time only). Guests can also purchase raffle tickets for the chance to win exciting prizes including Lindsey Vonn Vulcano FIS Signature Series Ski Helmet, Yeti cooler with Red Bull, and so much more. Patrons that register for the upcoming Wings for Life World Run on May 9th will receive extra raffle tickets upon showing their confirmation page. To sign up for the Wings for Life World Run, visit www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com/en.
 
To maintain a safe environment for players, guests and staff, the establishment will be limiting 6 players per table, players are required to wear face coverings at the poker table and hand sanitizers will be provided. Doors will open at 8:00 p.m. with the tournament beginning at 9:00 p.m. For ages 21 and up, the buy-in is $25 per player and can be purchased at www.eventbrite.com/wings-for-life-texas-holdem-charity-tournament.
For more information, visit www.moondogsbar.com or call 404.231.4201. For more information on Wings for Life, visit www.wingsforlife.com.