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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.

LAZY BETTY HOSTING LE BERNARDIN REUNION DINNER

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

Lazy Betty Founders and Chefs Ron Hsu and Aaron Phillips met nearly twelve years ago while working at Eric Ripert’s Michelin-starred Le Bernardin in New York City, and on Wednesday, April 6, they’re bringing together seven Le Bernardin alumni to host a special reunion dinner benefiting KultureCity, a nonprofit dedicated to making “the never” possible for those with invisible disabilities and sensory needs. By creating a community of acceptance and inclusion for all, KultureCity aims to ensure that every individual can be included regardless of their different abilities. Lazy Betty’s team is undergoing training to become a sensory-inclusive restaurant.

“We are truly honored to work with the amazing team at Lazy Betty to make them the first sensory inclusive fine dining restaurant in the world,” says Dominique Wilkins, KultureCity Board Chairman and former Atlanta Hawks player. “Through our certification process, the Lazy Betty team has been trained on how to better serve guests with disabilities and sensory needs. The fine dining experience should be for ALL, and it’s truly amazing that Lazy Betty not only gets that, but is putting it into action.”

Former Le Bernardin chefs participating in the reunion dinner will each prepare a course that pays homage to their time at Le Bernardin. In addition to Chefs Ron and Aaron, participating chefs include:

  • Jennifer Carroll – Jen Carroll cooked under Patrick Feury at Neil Stein’s Avenue B before becoming sous chef at Le Bernardin, then Chef de Cuisine at Ripert’s 10 Arts Bistro at Philadelphia’s Ritz-Carlton. She is a finalist and two-time all star on three seasons of Bravo’s Top Chef. She is also Chef-Partner of Spice Finch in Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square and helms Carroll Couture Cuisine, an experiential culinary company. She is co-founder of Sisterly Love Collective, an alliance of women restaurateurs and food entrepreneurs across Philadelphia, jointly promoting mentorship and sustainable success.

  • Adrienne Cheatham – An eight-year Le Bernardin veteran, Chef Adrienne served as Executive Sous Chef at the acclaimed restaurant. She was the Executive Chef of Red Rooster Harlem before competing on season 15 of Top Chef, finishing second in the finale. Today, she runs the SundayBest pop-up series and is releasing her first cookbook, Sunday Best, March 2022.

  • Rob Sisca – Now based in Boston and the chef-partner of The Banks Boston and Bistro du Midi, Chef Robert Sisca served as Sous Chef at Le Bernardin and was part of the team for four years. In 2018, he competed on Food Network’s Beat Bobby Flay and came out victorious with his Bouillabaisse.

  • Monica Glass –  Chef Monica Glass is a former pastry chef at Le Bernardin and will be preparing the evening’s dessert course. Food & Wine named her a Best New Pastry Chef in 2013, and in 2020, she became a Chopped Champion. Today, she’s a chef and integrative health & wellness coach offering virtual classes, demos, experiences and more.

  • Kevin Adey – A former cook at Le Bernardin, Chef Kevin Adey is the chef-owner of Faro in Brooklyn.

The evening will also include an online auction, featuring items like tickets to an Atlanta Hawks game, tickets to a University of Georgia football game, private dinners, rare bottles of wine and liquor, and more. Guests will be able to scan a QR code at their table to view auction items and bid from their phones.

The five-course menu is $275 per person in the dining room and at the Chef’s Counter, plus beverage pairings for $100 each. Each ticket includes a cookbook by Chef Eric Ripert or Chef Adrienne Cheatham. Prices are inclusive of service, and a portion of the evening’s proceeds will go directly to Kulture City. Reservations are available here.

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

GAGIVES RETURNS GIVINGTUESDAY NOVEMBER 30, 2021

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 11/26/21

Sharing #GAgenerosity to the Nonprofits that Have Supported Georgia Communities

GAgives on GivingTuesday, Georgia’s biggest giving campaign, has already begun: Giving is now open for this year’s campaign, which reaches its pinnacle on November 30, GivingTuesday, as part of the international day of giving that takes place each year on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving.

Despite pandemic conditions, last year saw Georgians showcasing true #GAgenerosity and breaking GAgives records across the board. In 2020, more than 1,200 nonprofits across the state received funds through the official giving portal at GAgives.org, with more than $24 million dollars raised overall (topping 2019’s record total by 84 percent) from 260,546 individual donations, 94 percent more donations than the previous year. As the 2021 season of giving is about to commence, Georgians are being asked to renew their commitment to generosity for the nonprofits that have done so much for their communities – especially over the past two years.

Organized by the Georgia Center for Nonprofits (GCN) for the benefit of all nonprofits located in our state, GAgives is able to expand its efforts and impact each year through the ongoing support of local corporate, foundation, civic, and media partners.

“After the frenzied holiday spending of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, GAgives on GivingTuesday empowers Georgians to showcase our commitment to the true meaning of the giving season. On Tuesday, November 30, be a part of GAgives on Giving Tuesday, and support the nonprofits that have been keeping our communities going, even as their needs have multiplied,” said GCN President and CEO Karen Beavor.

One of this year’s new corporate sponsors is WestRock, offering “Power Hour” prizes that encourage even more donors to contribute to the nonprofits they find most meaningful. Additionally, they’re using GAgives as an employment engagement strategy for those based at their Georgia headquarters. “We’re inviting employees to join in recognizing the invaluable role of nonprofits in their community,” said WestRock Director of Corporate Giving Mandy Burnette. “To further encourage team members to participate in GAgives, we’re leveraging the WestRock Foundation’s Matching Gifts program to enhance their personal giving.” This program gives WestRock teammates, as well as their spouses and domestic partners, the ability to raise additional funding for the nonprofits they support by volunteering, making financial contributions, or both.

Others companies showing their #GAgenerosity for GAgives are Aprio; Arby’s Foundation; Atlanta Business Chronicle; The Atlanta Journal-Constitution; Autotrader; Brooks, McGinnis & Company; Carr, Riggs & Ingram; Coca-Cola; Cox Enterprises; Gas South; Georgia News Network; Georgia’s Own; iHeart Media; Kelley Blue Book; Marshall Jones; Outfront Media; Primerica; and WSB-TV Family 2 Family.

Making Giving Personal 

This year, the GAgives team has provided participating nonprofits with additional trainings and resources to assist in maximizing their fundraising potential. Person-to-Person (P2P) campaigning skills are being taught and supported, empowering nonprofits to engage their board members, volunteers, and other supporters in fundraising. Tapping their own networks, these P2P campaigners share personal stories about the organization they support, explain why they give, and encourage others not only to give, but to use the same P2P campaign methods themselves.

With this approach – using personal connections to spread the word about the specific impact that nonprofits make in the community – more and more Georgians will discover the difference nonprofits make in the lives of people, moving them to give back. Whether by phone, email, or social media, these P2P campaigns are positioned to grow awareness for Georgia nonprofits and #GAgenerosity exponentially.

“Nonprofits, and the people that they support, need our assistance to continue their work – work that benefits us all, from educational resources for students to job trainings and placements for the unemployed to meals for the elderly; protection for our rivers, parks, and nature preserves; medical attention and health care; housing the homeless; rescuing animals; supporting the arts; and more,” said GCN’s Karen Beavor. “We all have causes that are meaningful to us and our communities, and a gift of any size will make a difference – as will encouraging others to give. Together, we hope to lead another record breaking day of #GAgenerosity.”

Whether Georgians have a specific organization they’d like to support, or want to find a nonprofit that aligns with their values, supporters can easily locate nonprofits by name or cause and donate to them at GAgives.org. GAgives.org also offers full-featured campaign tools that anyone can use to launch their own fundraising efforts.

To further spread the call to give, follow @GAgives on Facebook and Instagram, and use the hashtags #GAgives and #GAgenerosity. Be sure to share the GAgives on GivingTuesday date (November 30) and call-to-action; direct contacts and followers to the nonprofit giving portal at GAgives.org; and encourage everyone in your network to spread the word about GAgives, their favorite nonprofit, and why they donate.

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.

LOVE, TITO’S BLOCK TO BLOCK AND FOOD WELL ALLIANCE TEAM UP TO REVITALIZE LOCAL GARDEN FOR REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT GROWERS

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 8/29/21

Volunteers Needed for Garden Service Project on Friday, September 10, 2021

 

WHO: Love, Tito’s Block to Block program has teamed up with Food Well Alliance to make significant enhancements to Decatur’s Kitchen Garden, a unique garden space in Atlanta for refugee and immigrant growers led by Global Growers Network in collaboration with the City of Decatur. The produce grown at this site reflects the diverse nationalities and agricultural heritage of the area.

WHAT: Outdoor enthusiasts, garden-obsessed, and those who just like to lend a hand, are all needed to take part in a single-day service project, which will include fun hands-on projects like, weeding the herb garden to prepare it for replanting, installing new debris bins around the garden, watering and mulching fruit trees, and more. For community members who are unable to volunteer but still want to get involved, the garden will be holding a garden tool drive and accepting new items like trowels, shovels, gloves, and soil, on the day of the project. These in-kind donations can be brought to Decatur’s Kitchen Garden on the same day as the service project. Sign up to volunteer and/or donate directly to Food Well Alliance below.

 

WHEN: Friday, September 10, 2021, from 8:30 am to 12 pm

 

WHERE: Decatur’s Kitchen Garden – 500 S Columbia Drive, Decatur, GA 30030

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. 

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.