Tag Archive for: causes

ATLANTA COMMUNITY FOOD BANK MAKES STRIDES WITH 40TH ANNUAL HUNGER WALK RUN

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 3/7/24

Sign up to help end hunger in the community on March 10 with virtual and in-person events

The Atlanta Community Food Bank is inviting the community to take steps together to fight local hunger. The 40th anniversary Hunger Walk Run is scheduled for Sunday, March 10, 2024, and is a hybrid event offering in-person and virtual participation. This year, Laila Ali, Former World Champion Boxer and CEO of Laila Ali Lifestyle, will be in attendance to support the Atlanta Community Food Bank’s mission to fight hunger by engaging, educating and empowering our community.

The in-person event will occur from 12-4 pm at The Home Depot Backyard – 1 Backyard Way, Atlanta, GA 30313. Virtual supporters may join any time on March 10. Online registration is now open and available through 12 pm on March 8, 2024.

“We are thrilled to kick off this year’s Hunger Walk Run that now spans four decades,” said Kyle Waide, President & CEO of the Atlanta Community Food Bank. “The event initially started to help bring various faith communities together and has expanded over the years to unite people of all walks of life and across ages to raise awareness and critical funds for local hunger relief. It’s such an honor to offer this amazing event that enables us to make significant strides in our fight against hunger.”

Every registration makes a significant impact. Each person who registers to walk is helping provide 90 meals, and each runner is helping provide 120 meals for those in need. Throughout the history of the Hunger Walk Run, more than $14.5 million has been raised for hunger relief.

The rates for online registration are $30 for walkers, $40 for runners, $25 for virtual participants who pick up their shirts, and $32 for virtual participants who wish to have their shirts mailed to them. Walk-up registration will also be available at a higher rate.

The 5K event is open to individuals of all ages and abilities. Participants may join as an individual, family, group, or team. In addition to the Walk Run, a family-friendly event livens up the day and features live music, food vendors, warm-ups, and more.

Participants may stay up-to-date on the events by downloading the Hunger Walk Run app. The app is free and may be used on iPhone and Android devices. For more information about the Hunger Walk Run, email hungerwalk@acfb.org or call (404) 419-1723.

THE GIFT OF LIFE: ART FOR A LIFE-SAVING MATCH

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 10/25/23

Distillery of Modern Art, Sunday, November 11 at 1pm

Attention art enthusiasts and philanthropists! 

We are thrilled to announce an extraordinary art show that combines creativity, community, and a noble cause. Join us for an unforgettable evening filled with stunning artwork, live painting, delectable food, and a mission to find a kidney donor. 

This art show is a celebration of talent featuring over 20 incredible artists from various backgrounds and styles. From mesmerizing paintings to breathtaking photography, this event promises to ignite your imagination and leave you inspired. 

Adding to the excitement, we have invited two talented live painters who will create masterpieces right before your eyes. Witness their artistic process unfold in real-time, as they transform blank canvases into stunning works of art. 

But, this event is not just about art; it’s about making a difference in someone’s live. We are working to raise awareness for an individual, Vy Tran, as he is in his late stages of kidney failure and is in desperate need of a hero donor. 

About Vy Tran: 

Just before the pandemic hit, I was diagnosed with end stage renal disease, essentially my kidneys stopped working. I’ve been on dialysis for the past 3 years or so and am currently on the transplant list (which can take years to find a donor). It’s been a very rough road till this point and a lot of it has to do with the physical and mental changes that come with all of this. But as of right now, I am in a good place and I am pushing forward as best I can. 

On the bright side, my transplant surgeon says I’m a good candidate for a donor kidney but no amount of surgery will change my personality. 

In addition to the mission, we are also giving back to the community and to the artists. As the holidays are closely approaching, booth space was provided free of charge to the artists allowing them to showcase their work with no overhead. As a gift to the community, food will be provided to attendees at no charge by Ruchi Bangladeshi during the duration of the show (while supplies last-food arrives at ~2:30pm) .

Free Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/717567041337?aff=oddtdtcreator

ATLANTANS COME TOGETHER FOR THE SPARK 5K

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 4/21/23

Inaugural event supports The Kyle Pease Foundation 

Introducing the inaugural Spark 5K, a race with 100% of registration fees and proceeds benefiting The Kyle Pease Foundation’s Inclusive Employment Program. Taking place in Atlanta’s Piedmont Park on Thursday, May 4, the event is hosting more than 30 in-chair athletes, the most participating in any Atlanta 5K to date.

“Partnering with The Kyle Pease Foundation to bring this vibrant 5K to life aligns with Roark’s mission of helping people and companies reach their potential,” Allison Hill, Head of Diversity & Social Responsibility at Roark, explained. “This run is for everyone and we are excited to see so many community members come together for such an incredible cause.” 

With a heavy focus on using the power of sports to create an inclusive experience for all participants, The Kyle Pease Foundation designed the event with the main goal of inclusion taking center stage, allowing the city of Atlanta, in-chair athletes and their push-assist athletes to come together and work towards a common goal.

“Since we created The Kyle Pease Foundation in 2011, we have sought to use sports as a way of providing inclusive opportunities for athletes with disabilities,” Kyle Pease, Founder and Chief Inspirational Officer of The Kyle Pease Foundation, stated. “Thanks to this wonderful partnership with Roark, we are able to achieve our goal of bringing Atlanta a race centered on inclusion and provide tons of athletes with the opportunity to experience the thrill of being part of the competition.”

Participants are encouraged to register at Spark5K.com in order to show their support towards an important cause. The event, which begins at 6:30pm, is a race for everyone – no matter their abilities – so it’s time for the Atlanta community to show how it rallies behind a worthy cause.

Click here to learn more about The Kyle Pease Foundation. 

Sponsors include Roark, The Coca-Cola Company,  Rabobank, Truist and more. 

SECOND SELF BEER CO TO HOST FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENT BENEFITING ATLANTA FIREFIGHTERS

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 9/20/22

Locals are invited to shop, eat and sip brews to benefit Atlanta Professional Fire Fighters

Saturday, 9/24 at Noon to 5 pm

On Saturday, September 24, West Midtown’s favorite brewery will host a festival to raise funds for Atlanta Professional Fire Fighters (APFF), a non-profit that fights for the city’s firefighters to have proper safety resources, funds for medical care and more.

The festivities, happening from noon to 5 p.m., will feature a pop-up market, food trucks, various Second Self beers, games and more. 

Atlantans can shop from local vendors such as Sweet As a Peach Jams & Pickles, Just Add Honey Tea Company and Amore Organics — and for custom t-shirts by APFF — from noon to 2 p.m. Throughout the event, attendees can mingle with local firefighters and participate in games while savoring delicious eats and sips for a good cause. 

Second Self is releasing a limited-edition version of their fan-favorite “La Fría” with an added fruit element and renaming it La Fuega for the day (meaning “fire” in Spanish) – a nod to their support of APFF. All proceeds from La Fuega will benefit local firefighters. 

A portion of event proceeds will go towards APFF’s health and wellness fund. The charity covers everything from mental health support for PTSD symptoms, recovery for job-related injuries, funeral costs as well as much-needed financial support for families of fallen firefighters.

Fundraisers APFF has previously hosted include their annual St. Patrick’s Day Picnic in conjunction with the city’s St. Patrick’s Day parade, and a donation dine-in where they partnered with local businesses like Chick Fil-A, Hudson Grille and others on International Firefighters’ Day.

For more information about the festival, please visit APFF’s Facebook event page.

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.