Dining Out for Life 2011

It's that time again: many area restaurants are getting together with Moveable Feast for the annual Dining Out for Life, to raise money for the organization that delivers meals to housebound people with HIV/AIDS and breast cancer.  I work that night but I'm still making my plans to eat afterwards. Check out the DO4L website for more information.

Weekend in the Crescent City Part 2: Social Action through Food

One thing I am happy to have seen during the conference in New Orleans took place in an area tourists rarely go - either the fun-seeking tourists or the "volun-tourists" coming down to do the important work of rebuilding after Katrina (there's still a lot to do). I went with some friends from grad school - way back when we were all in Riverside, California - to a block party in the 7th ward. Billed as "the largest gathering of anthropologists in the Seventh Ward—ever!" (and it probably was), it served as a small reception for a lot of small organizations within the American Anthropological Association. It was also a part of the Neighborhood Story Project, which uses neighborhood writers and photographers to tell the story of the culture and history of their neighborhoods.

The event was catered by the New Orleans-based Liberty's Kitchen. While it does a few things, those things all go back to their main goal, as stated on their website:

Liberty's Kitchen is an innovative, non-profit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of at-risk youth by building self-sufficiency and independent living in a supportive community where they learn life, social and employability skills in a culinary setting. Liberty’s Kitchen supports its programs with teaching-focused businesses: our working café and coffee house, catering business, and contract food services. These businesses are designed to give our students practical experience while helping to sustain our programs. We utilize private donations and community grants for the balance of our funding needs.

Among the ways they help at-risk youth: their coffee house - a real business where everything is made from scratch, and a school lunch program which benefits both needy children and the youths in their program who benefit from newly learned job skills.

Here's hoping that Liberty's Kitchen flourishes in New Orleans, and that more programs like this appear across the country!

Getting food to Haiti...

Jennifer Ward at the Atlantic Monthly's Food Channel writes an important article about getting food aid to the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, which as you know was devastated by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake earlier this week - an earthquake that has made things so bad that aid of any and all kinds is almost impossible to deliver to those who need it. One of the best things to send: high-energy bars.

"These are times when it's about just giving people enough to get by," Jennifer Parmelee, the WFP's public affairs officer, told the Atlantic Food Channel. She called the biscuits "literally an energy lifeline," not really equivalent to what most would think of as a meal.

The biscuits are the most appropriate food for responding to crisis because they are individually packaged and don't need to be mixed with water. Even where food is available, the devastation has left few facilities in which to prepare it. The WFP last used the biscuits in the Philippines to feed hundreds of thousands of people displaced by 2009's severe floods.

Ward provides links in her article if you want to get food aid to Port-au-Prince and other parts of Haiti.

Surgeon turned chef for Susan G. Komen

Courtesy of Dara at Dining Dish: This Thursday you can eat at Sotto Sopra and donate to breast cancer research at the same time! The text of the press release is as follows:

For one night only, Thursday, October 8, Dr. Dean Kane, the well-renowned plastic surgeon, will be putting down his scalpel and picking up a chefs knife. Under the guidance of Sotto Sopra’s executive chef, Bill Crouse, Dr. Kane will be preparing a five course gourmet Italian dinner (menu below) of which a portion of the proceeds will go to the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. It is an evening of seasonal dishes, wine selections from The Wine Merchant and camaraderie as guests dine at communal tables in Sotto Sopra’s beautiful 19th century building located at 405 N. Charles Street. The evening’s festivities kick off at 6:30 p.m. with entertainment by Tony Sciuto throughout the evening.

Along with sharing his culinary talent, Dr. Kane will be selling a selection of his original pop photo art with 100% of the proceeds going to this worthy cause. Cost per person is $70, which includes the five course dinner, wine and entertainment.* Advanced reservations are required; call Sotto Sopra Restaurant at 410 625 0534.

- more-

Chef-for-the-Day

Dean P. Kane, MD

Thursday, October 8, 2009 – 6:30 p.m.

MENU

1st Course

Forest Mushroom Soup with Pine Nut Gratin

&

Arugula Salad

with goat cheese, dried cherries and Dijon mustard vinaigrette

2nd Course

Lobster Ravioli with Americana Sauce

topped with caviar

3rd Course

Lemon Basil Sorbetto

4th Course

Duetto

Grilled Lamb Chop

with minted eggplant caponata

&

Seared Halibut

on parsnip puree with lemon butter sauce

5th Course

Pumpkin Soufflé

with balsamic soaked fig

Cost $70.00 per person includes food, wine and entertainment

*Tax, gratuity and alcoholic beverages are not included in the cost. No other discounts or promotions are applicable to this special event.

(Sotto Sopra will be donating 10% of the evening’s proceeds to

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation/Maryland Affiliate)

Event Sponsor

The Wine Merchant
10741 Falls Rd.
Lutherville, MD 21093
Ph: 410-321-6500
www.yourwinemerchant.com

# # #

- more -

Dean P. Kane, MD, FACS: Dr. Dean and Lauri Kane have a husband and wife cosmetic surgical practice which allows them to provide a warm and caring approach. What makes their practice so unique is that you get Lauri’s female perspective on beauty, but Dr. Kane’s talented surgical skill. While Dr. Kane tends to be a serious surgeon, he is also is a very creative out of the box thinker. He always puts the patient first does not sway away from performing the correct procedure for the right patient. Dr. Kane always puts the safety of the patient first and foremost.

( www.DrDeanKane.com )

Susan B Komen Breast Cancer Foundation: More than 100,000 volunteers and activists work through 125 Komen Affiliates to mobilize more than one million friends and neighbors every year through events like the Komen Race for the Cure - the world's largest and most successful awareness and fundraising event for breast cancer.( http://ww5.komen.org/ )

Sotto Sopra Restaurant: Sotto Sopra Restaurant (www.sottosopra.us ) is located at 405 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 at the gateway to the Mt. Vernon cultural district of Baltimore City. The restaurant is recognized for their contemporary Italian cuisine, 19th century venue, excellent service and spirited personality.

Tony Sciuto: An international musician and song writer, Sciuto was with Banging Rush, Bonehead, The Little River Band, Never Never and enjoys his solo career as a performer and song writer.

( www.tonysciuto.net/ )

For further information on this event or Sotto Sopra Restaurant please contact Dara Bunjon at 410-486-0339 / email dara@dara-does-it.com or contact Monika Pawlak-Bosio at the restaurant at 410.625.0534

Photographs are available upon request.

Maryland Food Bank: September Is Hunger Action Month

I just got this email from the folks at the Maryland Food Bank. They're making September a month of action against hunger. During September and October, there are a lot of things y'all can do around town to make a dent in hunger for the over 450,000 Marylanders who are at or below the poverty level (not to mention all those who are hovering just above it). I've copied and pasted their contact information below (all email addresses transmitted in the email have been deleted to prevent the MFB from receiving spam). Everything that follows is their text.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 28, 2009

CONTACT: Audra Harrison

Maryland Food Bank to Recognize September as Hunger Action Month

Events throughout the month will help raise awareness and support for ending hunger

BALTIMORE —September is Hunger Action Month, a month dedicated to raising awareness and support for ending hunger in the U.S. The Maryland Food Bank, along with corporate partners and our national affiliate Feeding America, will be recognizing Hunger Action Month through several events and programs throughout September to urge the public to help us end hunger in Maryland . Marylanders can easily donate to the Maryland Food Bank during Hunger Action Month online at our Virtual Food Drive (www.mdfoodbank.org).

While Maryland is often ranked the wealthiest state in the nation, the number of Marylanders that are hungry is startling. There are 455,000 Marylanders at or below the federal poverty level. This number is likely larger due to the working poor who utilize emergency food services to make ends meet and the effects of the economic recession on middle class families. Of those in need, the Maryland Food Bank and our network partners serve 370,000 individuals annually. To meet our goal of ending hunger in Maryland , the Maryland Food Bank would have to distribute 79 million pounds of food annually. In Fiscal Year 2009, we distributed 16.7 million pounds of food. Our goal for FY 2010 is to distribute 18.3 million pounds.

Food Facts: $1 provides more than three pounds of food, $1 provides more than two meals, and $5 provides two weeks worth of lunch to someone in need.

September Hunger Action Month Events

Macy’s Come Together for Hunger— Macy’s, in partnership with Feeding America, the Maryland Food Bank’s national affiliate, will launch their campaign to “Come Together” to end domestic hunger. Macy’s will also be hosting “The World’s Largest Dinner Party,” at 6pm on September 15, 2009, in Macy’s stores across the country. The in-store event will have customers join in the “first course” of the nationwide party to celebrate the launch of the “Come Together” campaign.

On Saturday, October 17, 2009, the 19 Macy’s stores in Maryland will be holding “Shop for a Cause” by asking customers to purchase special coupons for $5 with proceeds going to the Maryland Food Bank.

Pei Wei Asian Diner Restaurant, with locations in Columbia and Baltimore , MD will offer customers 50% off their new entrees with a donation of Ramen Noodles on September 9, 2009.

Maryland Seafood Festival, held at Sandy Point State Park , will be providing $2 for each ticket purchased online for several charitable organizations, including the Maryland Food Bank from September 11, 2009 – September 13, 2009. Additionally, any canned food donations at the festival will be collected to help “Sink the Ship” at the entrance of the festival.

Community Kitchen Groundbreaking—The Maryland Food Bank’s Community Kitchen groundbreaking will be held on September 15, 2009 at 10:00 AM at our Baltimore distribution center. The Community Kitchen will be an exciting new center that will train low-income men and women in food production skills while transforming donated prepared and perishable food into nutritious meals for hungry individuals and families in their communities.

Cianbro “Drive Out Hunger” Food Drive and Golf Tournament—Cianbro Corporation is doing their part to help end hunger by urging their team members, vendors, and customers to donate to the Maryland Food Bank. Cianbro will be holding its 1^st Annual Golf Tournament to “Drive Out Hunger.” The goal is to raise monetary donations as well as 100+ pounds of food. The golf tournament will be held on September 17, 2009 at Compass Point Golf Course in Anne Arundel County. Each player is asked to donate $50.00 to the Maryland Food Bank. Volunteers and guests not playing golf are asked to donate $20.00.

Progressive Corn for Kids—Progressive, a leading motorcycle insurer, will be giving away roasted corn on the cob during Delmarva Bike Week for a suggested donation of $1 an ear. Delmarva Bike Week runs from September 17, 2009 – September 20, 2009 and proceeds will benefit the Maryland Food Bank.

Hardhat Comedy Tour Sponsored by Volvo Rents—On September 24, 2009, the Hardhat Comedy Tour featuring Matt Kazam will come to Magooby’s Joke House in Carney, MD. Admission is free with a donation of three cans of non-perishable food to the Maryland Food Bank. For more information, visit www.hardhatcomedy.com or www.mattkazam.com.

Maryland Food Bank’s Partner Conference—On September 25, 2009, the Maryland Food Bank will bring together our more than 900 network partners and Maryland Food Bank management for a full day seminar with workshops, information stations, and networking opportunities.

Ellicott City Fall Festival—Historic Ellicott City will be accepting food and monetary donations for admission to activities at the Ellicott City Fall Festival on September 26, 2009 from 12:00 – 5:00 PM. All proceeds will benefit the Maryland Food Bank.

Cheesecake Factory’s “Share the Spirit” Campaign— On September 29, 2009 from 7:00 – 10:00 AM, the first 500 people to donate two cans of soup at the Columbia Mall Cheesecake Factory location will receive a free piece of the new “Stephanie’s Ultimate Red Velvet Cake Cheesecake.” On September 30, 2009, Cheesecake Factory guests that donate 2 cans of food will receive 10% off their check, with the proceeds benefitting the Maryland Food Bank.

Redner’s Markets “Bag Hunger” Campaign—Redner’s Market locations in Maryland will have a Point of Sale drive from August 30, 2009 – October 3, 2009. Customers will be asked to donate $1 at the register to help end hunger with all proceeds going to the Maryland Food Bank.

Weis Markets Hunger Campaign—Weis Markets will ask customers during the month of September to pick up a Fight Hunger donation bag at their stores and fill it with canned goods to donate to the Maryland Food Bank. Fight Hunger Vouchers will also be sold at every checkout with $3, $5, or $10 values, with 100% of the proceeds donated to the Maryland Food Bank.

The mission of the Maryland Food Bank is to lead the movement and nurture the belief that together we can improve the lives of all Marylanders by ending hunger. The Maryland Food Bank has facilities in Baltimore and Salisbury comprising nearly 107,000 square feet of warehouse, refrigerator and freezer space. The Maryland Food Bank, now in its 30^th year of operation, distributes more than 16.7 million pounds of food annually through its statewide network of food distribution agencies. The Maryland Food Bank is a member of Feeding America .

Dollar Pasta Day at Sotto Sopra (Post #998)

Dara asked me to spread the news: Sotto Sopra is alleviating tax day for its patrons with $1 pasta night on Wednesday night, April 15. You can buy any of nine different pastas for a dollar if you make a charitable donation to either the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and/or Our Daily Bread that evening. Reservations are being taken from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., call 410 625-0534.

Thanks for Giving

I heard on the radio not too long ago that Bea Gaddy's Family Center might have to call off their annual Thanks for Giving dinner. I thought I heard it on WYPR but their search function won't work in either IE or Firefox. Here's something about Bea Gaddy's that Channel 11 did in October. The situation is not bright.



Last year they came in under the gun with less than they needed, but they were able to give. This year, however, with the economy crashing all around us people are having to tighten their belts everywhere, and fewer people can even afford to give. Hopefully you can give, either to Bea Gaddy's or to another worthy soup kitchen or food bank.

So with this post, I will be linking to some important Baltimore area charities that provide food (and sometimes shelter) to people who are most in need. Giving of your donations, your money or even just your time helps these guys out a lot! And if you know of any others I missed, please post it in the comments section and I'll add it to this list.

Bea Gaddy Family Centers (shelter, also responsible for the mammoth Thanks for Giving feast for the needy in Patterson Park on Thanksgiving day) - 425 North Chester Street, Baltimore, MD 21231' Phone: (410) 563-2749

Beans and Bread (shelter that provides for the hungry and homeless; a St. Vincent de Paul charity) - 402 South Bond Street, Baltimore, MD 21231; Phone: (410) 732-1892

Maryland Food Bank (massive food bank that collects donations from food drives, supermarkets and other organizations) - 2200 Halethorpe Farms Road, Baltimore, MD 21227; Phone: (410) 737-8282

Movable Feast (kitchen that delivers meals to the sick and housebound, especially those with AIDS; needs drivers for Thanksgiving week) - 901 North Milton Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21205; Phone: (410) 327-3420; Toll Free: (800) 556-9417

Our Daily Bread (full-service soup kitchen that feeds hundreds every day; one of many charities under the Maryland Catholic Charities umbrella) - 725 Fallsway Baltimore, MD 21202; Phone: (443) 986-9000

Fight Cancer with... Cupcakes!?!?

I saw this post about Cupcakes for a Cause on Adventures in Baltimore Restaurants. Stop in any participating bakery in the nation this week (October 20 through 26). A portion of each cupcake sold will benefit CancerCare for Kids. This isn't limited to Maryland - there are hundreds of bakeries taking part. Still, only one in Baltimore (that would be the Baltimore Cupcake Company), and three altogether in Maryland (CakeLove in Silver Spring and Couture Cupcakes in Potomac). In more ways than one, it's a good cause to buy cupcakes.

RUB for Dining Out for Life

I did manage to get out for Dining Out for Life on Thursday. I went with friends Alan & Eric to RUB. I have to admit that the atmosphere on Thursday nights makes Thursday not the most ideal night to hold this function. The men and women of the Federal Hill kickball league swamp the place (I bet they hold games on Thursday nights). Most people were just there to revel and drink, but wouldn't ya' know. There's always a few guys (in the gender neutral sense) there to annoy you. It got loud but it was Happy Hour, so I dealt with it. The only truly annoying person was this guy that hooted, "WHOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!" at every single thing that happened in the football game he was watching behind the bar. They make a play?

"WHOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!"

The ref stops to talk to a player?

"WHOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!"

The camera stops to focus on a player drinking water?

"WHOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!"

The equally unexciting but far less irritating "Soccer Cam" on the two smaller flat screens just recycled footage of amateurs dribbling the ball (the kind of clips that get uploaded to YouTube) in between clips of some "personal interest" story about the Chelsea FC (the TV was right in front of me, but I wasn't really paying attention).

At least we got seated quickly! Getting served was sloooooow but just like Eric mentioned, once your order is in the food comes out pretty fast. And so it did that night: my ribs and chicken with sweet potato fries and Texas corn pudding (the two-meat platter, $13) got to me in about 10 minutes. And as always, the food was satisfying. Adding a Blue Moon for $4 my total came to $17 ($21 after the tip). And half of that goes to Movable Feast. That's something that makes me go

"WHOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!"

Dining Out for Life on September 18

Thursday, September 18 is Baltimore's Dining Out for Life, a national day/night out to benefit HIV/AIDS charities in their respective cities. Different cities have theirs at different times of the year, and the participating restaurants will donate at least 20% (sometimes more) of their nightly profits to the designated AIDS organization in the city. Cities from Albany to Asheville, Riverside to Grand Rapids will have taken part this year - altogether, 64 cities throughout the United States and Canada (a complete list can be found here).

Most cities held their Dining Out festivities on or around April 24 (DC's was even earlier, on March 6). Baltimore, however, beats to its own drum (read: Baltimore procrastinates), so ours is happening almost five months after pretty much everybody else's (Louisville's is the latest, on December 8). Why is that exactly?

Forty-five restaurants are participating, most of which will donate 20% of their proceeds that night (or day if also doing lunch) to Movable Feast, Baltimore's designated AIDS charity. They deliver meals to house-bound AIDS patients. Some, including the Brewer's Art, Gertrude's, RUB and Meli Patisserie, will donate a full 50% of their proceeds. Check the DOFL Baltimore website for a complete list. And get out if you can to eat for a worthy cause!

Taste of the Nation, in Baltimore and all over the US

Dara at the Dining Dish asked a lot of us to pass this important info on to our loyal readership. One June 2nd over 20 restaurants will be cooking to raise money to end hunger in Baltimore, as part of the nationwide Taste of the Nation happening in 55 different cities in the United States. This is the event press release, via Dara:

With flavorful food and a passion for helping hungry children, Baltimore’s best chefs and restaurants will gather for Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation presented by American Express. Baltimore’s Taste of the Nation will raise critical funds needed to support Share Our Strength’s efforts to end childhood hunger in Baltimore and across America. This year’s event will take place on June 2 at the American Visionary Art Museum in Federal Hill, from 6:30 to 9:30 pm, with a VIP reception beginning at 6 pm.

More than 20 of the city’s finest restaurants will participate in the gastronomic event including Vin, Indigma, Pierpoint and Ixia. Guests will enjoy the city’s finest foods paired with beverages by Finlandia Vodka, Herradura Tequila, Woodford Reserve Bourbon and Southern Comfort.

This year’s event also offers something special for VIPs, including coveted seating, champagne, and surprise perks.

The area charities that will benefit from this year’s event include Baltimore’s Garden Harvest, Maryland Committee for Children, and Advocates for Children and Youth. Since its inception 20 years ago, Taste of the Nation has raised more than $70 million for organizations in the United States and abroad, including more than a quarter of million dollars in Baltimore alone.

Generous support from presenting sponsor American Express, national sponsors SYSCO Corporation and Food Network, Brown-Forman, S.Pellegrino Sparkling Natural Mineral Water, the National Pork Board and OpenTable ensure that 100 percent of ticket proceeds go to Share Our Strength’s efforts to end childhood hunger in Baltimore.

With more than 12 million children facing hunger in America, and nearly 185,000 in the state of Maryland, Taste of the Nation events promote awareness of Share Our Strength’s efforts across the nation. The funds raised through Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation support the most effective organizations that feed hungry children, as well as advocates that are pursuing long-term solutions to the challenge of hunger, both locally and nationally.

Tickets for Taste of the Nation Baltimore are $75 for general admission and $125 for VIP admission, and can be purchased by calling 1-877-26-Taste or visiting www.tasteofthenation.org. Tables and event sponsorship opportunities are available.

About Share Our Strength^®

Share Our Strength is a national organization working to make sure no kid in America grows up hungry. We weave together a net of community groups, activists and food programs to catch children at risk of hunger, and surround them with nutritious food where they live, learn and play. We work with the culinary industry to create engaging, pioneering programs like Taste of the Nation, Share Our Strength’s Great American Bake Sale^®, Share Our Strength’s Operation Frontline^® and Share Our Strength’s A Tasteful Pursuit^®. For more information, please visit www.strength.org.

If you can go, remember that it's for a great cause, and that all proceeds benefit the Share Our Strength project. Here are just some of the participating restaurants:

Cabot Creamery
The Capital Grille
Corks
Indigma
Inn at Perry Cabin
Ixia Restaurant
Jack’s Bistro
Jordan’s Steakhouse
Kali’s Court
Karma’s Cupcakes
Lebanese Taverna
Lindt Chocolate
Pierpoint
Red Maple
Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine
Sotto Sopra
Trapeze
VIN

Maryland Food Bank Raffle!!!

I just got a comment a few minutes ago from "Rebecca" from the "maryland food Bank." I was a bit suspicious, because I am familiar with the Maryland Food Bank and what they do. I've volunteered there once or twice in the past and I know they do good stuff. What made me suspicious was the content of the post, which I've deleted but reprinted here for you in its entirety (hyperlink added by me):

rebecca from the maryland food Bank said...

Help the Maryland Food Bank!

Win round-trip business class airfare for two to London on British Airways. It’s only $20 per chance and all proceeds benefit the Maryland Food Bank. The drawing will be held at our 2008 Blue Jean Ball on May 2, 2008. Ticket quantity is limited…so act fast!

Visit this site to purchase your ticket: http://mdfoodbankraffle.kintera.org/

It seemed strange, because they seem to have a tight budget, and offering anything this nice is probably beyond their means, right? So instead of going to this website, I went directly to the MFB's site itself, and it indeed checks out! British Airways has donated the tickets, but only if sold as a raffle. And the price of the ticket will go to help many hungry Marylanders.

So again: a $20 raffle ticket, for two people, to London, England, UK. All proceeds benefit the good work of the Maryland Food Bank. I may in fact just buy one!

Breast Cancer Awareness at the Grocery Store

Y'all may have noticed all the pink in the air, and on the blog for the next few days (no longer, I know how you folks feel about balloons). Nope, it's not the new butch color. It's the national movement to support breast cancer awareness. Even on WJZ they're raising awareness for all women (and the occasional man) to get checked. (Speaking of cancer awareness: I totally missed WJZ's prostate cancer awareness run - so much to be mindful of...).

I went grocery shopping for the new place this week. I wanted to see how much I could get with just $20 (I ended up spending twice that). But among the things I found were a few cans of Campbell's delicious cans of salt tomato soup with very pink labels. A portion of all proceeds from these special cans goes to fund research for... you guessed it! Go look for some other things in the supermarket. Every little bit helps.

If you find more over the next few days please feel free to mention them here!

Dining Out!

Thursday is Dining Out, an event where several area restaurants donate a percentage of their proceeds for the night to Moveable Feast (yes I know they misspelled it). This organization delivers meals to persons with HIV and AIDS, and other diseases, that can't get out to get food. At least 20% of what you pay goes to them. A handful of restaurants donates up to 50%! So if you can get out that night, you eat for a good cause!

The ever-changing list of participating restaurants is here.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

And a belated Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Kwanzaa tomorrow!

I have eaten way way too many goodies today. My sister got Ferrero Rocher candies from her mother-in-law - a candy she's tired of, but we all managed to stuff our faces. I did enough that I just couldn't eat breakfast! And those TJ truffles are still being gobbled.

That's got nothin' on the Christmas dinner - goose, roasted veggies, blueberry muffins, pumpkin bread with cream cheese frosting, stuffing, sweet potatoes, pecan pie - yummy yummy yummy! I am quite lucky to have all this food, and have those with far less on my mind right now. Tomorrow I plan to drop off some canned goods to the Maryland Food Bank off Hollins Ferry Road. They always seek donations to send to area soup kitchens, and recieve them mostly as cast-offs from grocery stores that might otherwise throw them out. But I believe they take donations from anyone.

More help to those in need: Moveable Feast of B'more Baking Group!

Now I need to find some time to do this. Danielle posted this earlier this month on her blog, but - oops! - I only saw it just tonight! Moveable Feast of Baltimore is a group that makes and delivers meals for shut-in victims of HIV and AIDS and other diseases. She got this off of an email update from the idealist.org website. This should be okay to copy and post, but just to give credit where it is due, this is a direct quote from her website (which she got from her email):

Moveable Feast of Baltimore Baking Group:

Location: 2620 Wilkens Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland, 21223
Organization: Moveable Feast of Baltimore
Start date: December 7, 2006
Sex: All are welcome
Skill(s): cooking
Area of Focus: Poverty and Hunger
End date: September 1, 2007
Age: Adults, Seniors, Teens
Language(s): English
Last updated: December 7, 2006

Spend an evening baking delicious desserts! All sweets are delivered to those in need and living with HIV/AIDS and other life-challenging conditions throughout the Greater Baltimore Metropolitan area and the Eastern Shore.

Bake every 1st Tuesday evening of the month with Ted or the 3rd Wednesday evening of the month with Alicia! Don your baker's hat and join us from 6 pm to 9pm at Moveable Feast!

Bring a bit sweetness to the lives of others!

Please register as kitchen space is limited! Hands On Projects allow you the flexibility to drop in and volunteer when your schedule allows, without previous training required.

How to Apply:
Tom Patrick, Volunteer Manager, at 410/327-3420, ext. 31 or TPatrick@mfeast.org

I am usually working or taking classes on those nights, unfortunately, but this is a great way to spend a free night if I get one! If you have some time to go down and bake for Moveable Feast,
this is a very cool thing to do for a good cause.

Menu for Hope III

I read about this recently on the Amateur Gourmet website. The Menu for Hope campaign, from what little I've read, is done around this time of year by food bloggers all over the country - at least the East Coast - to raise money to fight hunger. Read much more about it at the Firstgiving.com web page, and at Chez Pim, the San Fran-based organizer. I didn't find out in time to take part, but I will probably donate something. And for every $10 donation, you can put in for a prize, so it acts as a raffle, too. I don't know if I'll bother with the raffle part of it, but giving the donation is fairly easy. What a truly wonderful way to celebrate the holidays, helping those who have so little!