Showing posts with label charity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label charity. Show all posts

Sunday, May 10, 2020

Food Takeout / Delivery in LA That Gives Back

With so many people's livelihoods on the line during the pandemic and the closure of non-essential businesses, it's great to have our money go further to helping others. I have been trying to get takeout food from local businesses, but it's even better when my purchase also contributes to another cause. Here is the list of where you can get food in LA (takeout, delivery or by shipping) that also helps another cause.

Few for All
Few for All delivers handmade pasta, pasta sauces and cookie dough all over Los Angeles (they'll even deliver all the way to Woodland Hills with a minimum of $50 purchase). For each ITEM purchased, they'll also donate a pound of pasta to the LA Food Bank! Order through their instagram here.
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APL
Adam Perry Lang's APL Restaurant has joined forces with Jimmy Kimmel to launch a meal matching program. For every meal ordered for take-out or pick-up at APL, they will donate that same meal to St. Joseph's Center, a non-profit in Venice that supports the homeless and families in need.

Flavors from Afar
A new social enterprise in Little Ethiopia by The Tiyya Foundation, Flavors from Afar offers food from chefs who were former refugees and asylum seekers. For every meal purchased, they will donate a box of non-perishable food items to a low-income family in need. They're open Wednesday-Sunday and the meals rotate. Until May 17, the featured menu is Somali cuisine!


Vitalist High Frequency Food
Vitalist opened in West Hollywood in the middle of the pandemic, serving healthy plant-based food including juices, soups and salads. It's a good time to give them a try as $2 from every drink sale from now until June 15 goes to the Restaurant Workers' Community Foundation Covid 19 fund.
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Goldbelly
Goldbelly sends iconic food from all over the country to your door. Recently with the pandemic, they have started a city subscription box. With every subscription purchased, Goldbelly will send a box of food to a frontline worker.
Memphis ribs

Golden Marrow
Golden Marrow was a popular new vendor at the 626 Night Market and now they're doing an "at home" bone marrow kit. The best part is that all proceeds are going to the fundraising campaign Code Masks that are aiming to provide N95 masks to hospitals and fire departments in LA.


Lazy Dog Restaurant
Lazy Dog offers friends and family meals at their various locations (starting at $25 and serves 4-5 people). With each family meal purchased, Lazy Dog will donate to a local organization including hospitals.

Tiato
This isn't for the prepared food, but when you buy a bag of groceries of $35 or more from Tiato, they will donate 20% to the Food Bank. Included in the bag: 2 avocados, bushel of bananas, baguette, blueberries, butter, Caesar dressing, cherry tomatoes, 2 lemons, lettuce, oat milk, red onion, house-made aloe hand sanitizer and 2 rolls of toilet paper.

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Dine Out at LA Restaurant Oct 7-14 to Help Puerto Rico with LA Loves Puerto Rico

I think we all know by now how devastating Hurricane Maria had been for the island (and US territory!) of Puerto Rico and how much more help they still need.
Most of the people in Puerto Rico don't have access to clean water, shelter, and power.

If you're unsure of how to help, there are plenty of ways. In fact, there's a very easy way. Just go out and do what you normally do - go out to eat and drink at 100s of LA restaurants next week, from October 7-14. Just be sure to order certain special dishes, where these LA restaurants and bars and their great chefs and mixologists have pledged 100% of the proceeds from those items to Unidos por Puerto Rico for a campaign called LA Loves PR.

Unidos Por Puerto Rico / United for Puerto Rico is an initiative brought forth by the First Lady of Puerto Rico, Beatriz Rosselló, in collaboration with the private sector, with the purpose of providing aid and support to those affected in Puerto Rico by the passage of the hurricanes.

There are more than 85 establishments participating and offering great special dishes and drinks - because our LA peeps are awesome. You can find the full list here.

As an example: the coconut rice pudding with mango passionfruit sorbet at Woodley Proper.
Photo credit: Jakob Lyaman
Other participating restaurants include Georgie, Miro, Lucques, Sotto, Rossoblu, The Bazaar by Jose Andres, and many more. Seriously, just take a look.

There are some nice cocktails on the list, too, like this Pearl Diver from Accomplice Bar made with Puerto Rican rum, guava, and Gaby's secret Gardenia Mix.
photo credit: Accomplice Bar
You'll find cocktail specials at Commerson, Cana Rum Bar, Barcito, Harvard and Stone, and others.

I urge you, Angelenos, and anyone visiting the city next week. Eat and drink every day, as much as you can, and order these dishes/ drinks. It's for a good - and much needed - cause.

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Help Beat Childhood Cancer at LA Loves Alex's Lemonade on Sept 28

Summer isn't over yet and there are still more great food events coming up! One of my favorites is LA Loves Alex's Lemonade (see my recap from the 2011 event) which raises funds to fight childhood cancer and it all started from a little girl called Alex and her lemonade stand ... The LA event last year raised half a million dollars!

This year's event will take place on September 28 and is hosted by Chef Suzanne Goin and business partner Caroline Styne (AOC, Lucques, Tavern), and Chef David Lentz (The Hungry Cat) and brings in LA's superstars like Providence, Bestia, Animal, Trois Mec, Rustic Canyon and more. Mixologists, sommeliers, and wineries will also be there including Eric Alperin from Varnish, Silverlake Wine, Hitching Post and many more.

There will be guest chefs from out of town including Matt Acarrino (SPQR in SF) and Chris Bianco (from Pizzeria Bianco in Phoenix!), Michael Tusk (Quince in SF), Jonathan Waxman, Adam Perry Lang, Brian Huston (Publican in Chicago), Giada de Laurentiis and more.

Oh, as a bonus, Neil Patrick Harris is an honorary committee member. He was there in 2011 so you might catch a glimpse of him again.

Here are the details of the event:
When: Saturday, September 28, 2013, 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Where: Culver Studios, Culver City, CA 90232

Tickets are $175 each and can be purchased here, or if you have the funds you can get the $1200 Meet and Greet tickets (includes ticket to chefs dinner on Sept. 27, access to a Top Sponsors reception prior to the event, and early admission including a behind the scenes tour of the event to watch the chefs prepping)
Children 12 and under get in for free with accompanying adults.

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

LA Picnic on Sept 7, Benefiting St. Vincent Meals on Wheels + GIVEAWAY!

In my opinion, one of the best charities to support is St. Vincent Meals on Wheels, which provides hot meals to homebound seniors, and they do a lot of great fundraisers. St. Vincent MoW delivers over 4000 meals a day and only receive about $1 per meal in donation, which costs them $7 to deliver with current gas prices. That's why the fundraisers are so important!

This year, they're doing their first LA Picnic on Saturday, September 7. The event is presented by Lexus and co-hosted by LA Kitchen. Starting at 10:30 am, guest chefs will join attendees at the table for a picnic style brunch on the grass lawn of a historic hacienda at the Original Farmers Market.


Michael Voltaggio
Photo courtesy of StVMoW
The guest chefs include Michael Voltaggio (ink), Ray Garcia (FIG), Tim Guiltinan (The Raymond), Josef Centeno (Bar Ama), Vartan Abgaryan (Cliff's Edge), Neal Fraser (BLD, Redbird, Fritzi Dog), Sal Marino (Il Grano), Kris Morningstar (Ray's and Stark Bar), Christian Page (Short Order), Erik Sun (Pursuit of Food).

Tickets are $95 each or $150 for VIP tickets and can be purchased here. The VIP tickets get you the same thing as the general admission tickets, but the difference goes to feeding more seniors (20!). It's more about the good deed!

Now, to spread the word about this wonderful event, St. Vincent's Meals on Wheels has offered up a pair of tickets to one of lucky readers! To enter the event, just use the entry form below and help us spread the word!

Thursday, July 5, 2012

LA Street Food Fest Summer Tasting, Back on July 21

The LA Street Food Fest returns to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, July 21. The full vendor lineup hasn't been released yet, but usually the vendors from previous years would come back, so check out last year's highlights to know what to expect!

The term "Street Food Fest" has been defined pretty loosely, since now it's not just food carts/stalls/trucks, but also various restaurants and dessert shops participating.

And it's not just LA, the Food Fest also brought some of the best from Baja, including the uni tostada from La Guerrerense in Ensenada. They may just be making a repeat appearance this year. This little seafood cart has been featured many TV shows recently, so if you haven't had the time to drive down to Baja, try it locally at the food fest!

One of the best chefs in Baja, Javier Plascencia is also coming back this year. Last year he brought a lot of goodies, including these grilled oysters topped with sea asparagus. I don't know why the line wasn't longer at this booth, but hey, better for me.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Save the Date: Beer and Booze Pairings at Dionicess IX

On October 21, Dionicess returns with craft beer cocktails to Steingarten LA. Public health professor Gev Kazanchyan is teaming up with Dave Watrous from Beachwood BBQ Steingarten LA for a one night fundraising event. This time, they have recruited bartender Matt Biancaniello to craft some beer cocktails.

Each of the 5 cocktails will come with 5 vegetarian dishes served by Randy Clemens (author of The Sriracha Cookbook).

The event costs $65 per person (all inclusive) and all proceeds benefit Real Medicine Foundation. There are only 30 seats available so grab yours now here!

Dionicess IX
Friday October 21, 2011. 7:00 PM
Steingarten LA, 10543 W Pico Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90064 USA

Monday, July 26, 2010

East LA Meets Napa Returns Big

East LA Meets Napa, the annual fundraiser benefiting AltaMed, is a special event for Los Angeles. Not only does it raise money for free quality healthcare for those who need it the most, it is the only event of its caliber that gathers Latin restaurants around town and Latino-owned or operated wineries of California under the same roof.

Well, technically there's no roof.

East LA Meets Napa is held at the courtyards of Union Station
There are two connected courtyards at Union Station and while last year's event occupied only one of them, this year they expanded to both and even filling up the adjoining hallway.

There's even a mariachi band making its way around the event.
As wine kept flowing, people started to salsa on and in front of the stage.

The evening started with a VIP reception at Traxx, which had more wine tasting - some of which were also available at the main event. This year's event is also special since in accordance with Mexico's bicentennial anniversary, they also had wineries from Baja's Valle de Guadalupe participating, along with guest chef Patricia Quintana from restaurant Izote in Mexico City.

There were plenty of Napa cabs, but at the VIP reception we also got to try a sweet blend of late harvest grapes from Ceja.

I had my first tastes of Cook's Tortas. It's not the full experience but a great teaser, using the same bread they use in their regular tortas. I'll be making it out there soon.

It would be impossible to go through everything, but here are some highlights:

Wild boar & duck carnitas from Cacao Mexicatessen

Chapulines (grasshopper) tostada from La Huasteca

These weren't as good as Guelaguetza's chapulines but it was fun having my friends try them for the first time.


Golden gazpacho with poached shrimp and Israeli couscous from Setá

Various desserts from Porto's Bakery

There were more of course, here's a slideshow of the others:

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Westside Food Fest Benefits Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

It seems like there are plenty of food truck events popping up these days, but since they're still lacking on the westside and it benefits a good cause, why not?

The Westside Food Fest will feature a dozen food trucks (including India Jones, Manila Machine, Ahn Joo, Del's Lemonade), live music, and even raffle prizes!

100% of the ticket proceeds (a mere $5 entrance fee that may get you a raffle prize) goes to Achievable, a non-profit organization which helps individuals with developmental disabilities such as autism.

Westside Food Fest. Saturday, July 31, 12-4 pm. Venice High School (13000 Venice Blvd)
$5 entrance

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Save the Date: Plate by Plate on August 14!

Plate by Plate is an annual "tasting benefit" by Project by Project (such clever names). The 8th annual event is coming up on Saturday, August 14, 2010, partnering with Health Justice Network.

I'm pretty excited about the lineup because some of these I rarely see at these types of events, including Mo Chica, Bistro LQ, The Foundry, and include restaurants from celebrated names like Nobu, Craft, all the way to San Gabriel's Hot Stuff Cafe and blogger-celebrated downtown luncheonette Starry Kitchen.

Wines, limoncello, sake and beer from Stone Brewing Co. will flow freely along with POM, DRY soda, Naja tea and more. Finish with Yogurtland, desserts from Susina Bakery and Valerie Confections.

Since Health Justice Network acts as a collaborative voice for the API community for the right to quality health services, Plate by Plate will also have special API celeb attendees, Aziz Ansari included.

Advance purchase tickets are $125 or $200 for VIP and can be purchased here.
But act fast and get the regular tickets here on Goldstar for just $68!


Plate by Plate
Saturday, August 14, 2010
6:00PM–7:00PM · VIP Reception
7:00PM–10:00PM · Main Event
700 State Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90037

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Upcoming Events: L.A. to Santa Fe!

Thursday, July 8.
Cupcake Showdown

Going to downtown artwalk? Have a cupcake while you're at it! Ten cupcake bakeries will compete for the title of best cupcakes during next week's downtown art walk. Each bakery will give out 300 mini cupcakes to the public (that's 3000 mini cupcakes total!). If a mini isn't enough for you, full sized cupcakes will also be available for purchase. There will also be DJs, a photobooth, and pop-up jewelry shops.
6-9 PM. Free to the public. 620 S Main St, Los Angeles, CA.
Friday, July 9.
East LA Meets Napa
This is one of LA's most interesting events as it prominently features the city's best Latin cuisine along with Latino-owned or operated wineries in Napa! This year, the fifth annual East LA Meets Napa will also feature some wineries of Baja California from Valle de Guadalupe in commemoration of Mexico’s Bicentennial celebration.

The restaurant lineup includes Rivera, Loteria Grill, Cook's Tortas, Phlight, Cacao Mexicatessen, and much more, and will be accompanied by wines from Beringer, Ceja, Sequoia Grove, and more.

Tickets are $150 and can be purchased on www.eastlameetsnapa.com.
6-9 PM, Union Station, 800 N. Alameda St.Los Angeles, CA 90012.


Saturday, July 17.
13th Annual Extravaganza for the Senses

40 LA vendors including Jar, STREET, Valerie Confections, Breadbar, Dr. Bob's Ice Cream and more will join in this fundraising extravaganza for the Saban Free Clinic, accompanied by over 80 wineries including Gruet and Stag's Leap.
The Saban Free Clinic provides freemedical, dental and social services to the needy. This year, the Clinic will provide nearly 90,000 free patient visits to those who need them the most.
Tickets are $80 before July 1 (VIP tickets are available for $200). As of July 1, tickets are $100 and $225, respectively. For more info or reservations, call 323.330.1670 or visit www.thesabanfreeclinic.org/extravaganza.
7-10 PM (6-10PM VIP). Sunset Gower Studios, 1438 North Gower Street, Hollywood, CA 90028.


I won't be able to attend that, unfortunately, but no need to pity me. I will be in Santa Fe with a few other bloggers, attending this:

Friday-Saturday, July 16-17.
Taste of Santa Fe

This is also the 13th year for Taste of Santa Fe, which raises funds for the New Mexico History Museum. The event starts with a gala dinner on July 16, featuring four chefs from Santa Fe and LA's very own Chef John Sedlar of Rivera, who grew up in Santa Fe. There will also be blind judging taste competition, a live auction, and plenty of champagne and wine.
Tickets are $200 pp.
6-9:30PM. New Mexico History Museum, Santa Fe, NM..

The next day follows with a "Community Taste Event" with 50 food/restaurant stations (+4-5 dessert booths) and 8 wine stations. For Californians trying to get to know the Santa Fe food landscape, what could be a better opportunity?
Tickets are $25 for 12 tastes or $35 for 18 tastes.
2-6PM. Santa Fe Railyard Park, Santa Fe, NM.

Monday, May 31, 2010

Reminder: Tomorrow Eat a Baco, Feed a Senior

The food truck fundraising, Cart for a Cause, has been in full gear for a few weeks now. Tomorrow (Tuesday June 1st), the food truck benefiting St. Vincent Meals on Wheels will be back at 5900 Wilshire around 12-2pm tomorrow, serving food from Lazy Ox Canteen's Josef Centeno.
Not only is each $10 meal you purchase comes with delicious food made by chef Centeno himself (he was actually in the truck when I visited!), a POM drink, pistachios, and a Miss Lilly cookie, but each purchase will also deliver a hot meal to one home-bound senior!
If that's not enticing enough for you, know that Chef Centeno will be serving up the famous "Baco", his flatbread-meets-taco signature dish made with pork belly, beef carnitas, caraway pepper, and salbitxada.
Yeah, you know you want it.

Next week they'll roll in Chef Susan Feniger from STREET. To get updates and schedule details, check out their twitter page @CartForACause.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Dionicess VI Fundraiser: Do-Gooding with Beer, Sausages, and Fries

On June 27 Gev Kavanchyan works together with Firestone Walker Brewing Company for a fundraising to benefit Real Medicine Foundation which provides medical support to disaster, post-war, and poverty stricken areas.
They will pair five beers with artisanal sausages and fries at Tony's Darts Away in Burbank. Tickets are $35 (all inclusive) per person and all the proceeds will go to the charity. Since there'll be no ticket sale at the door, you must get it online here.

Monday, March 8, 2010

A Giant Thank You! from Bid and Eat for Haiti

The charity auctions benefiting Haiti relief efforts of CHF International and Operation USA have successfully concluded!

From both auctions we raised $1140 so I would like to thank everyone of you who has supported us by way of bidding, blogging, tweeting, or otherwise spreading the word :)

And of course, let's not forget to give a big shout out to all of our donors:

Allston Yacht Club
Bond St. Beverly Hills
Cemitas y Clayudas Pal Cabron
Ciudad
Elements Kitchen
Fleming's
Fraiche
Guelaguetza Restaurante
iHerb, inc.
Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea
Jian BBQ
La Casita Mexicana
LudoBites
Petrossian West Hollywood
Pizzeria Ortica
Rivera
Rush Street
The Raymond
Wine Detective


If you checked out the auction site, I'm sure you would agree they have donated so many good stuff to help raise funds.
To all the winners: thank you, congratulations, and I'm sure you'll enjoy those dinners, coffee, gift packages, or cookbooks you won!





Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Bid and Eat for Haiti is Back!

Thank you for all who supported the first Bid and Eat for Haiti!

We received more donation from restaurants after the end of the first auction, so we’re holding a second run!

We raised $765 from the first auction, so let’s all help reach a goal of $1000, shall we?

It’s the same basic deal, just with different dates and auction items. The auction benefits two charities: CHF International and Operation USA. More details about these charities can be found on the Bid and Eat website.

This auction will start on Friday Feb 26, 2010 and runs until midnight of Tuesday Mar 2, 2010 , so you can only bid on items between those times!
To bid, go on an item's page and leave a comment with your bid amount.
Just go to http://bidandeat.wordpress.com to see the list of items.

Even though there are only a few sponsors this time around, they have donated plenty of items (14 total!), so do take a look and put in a bid!


Our newest sponsors:
Cemitas y Clayudas Pal Cabron
Elements Kitchen
Guelaguetza Restaurante
La Casita Mexicana
The Raymond



Thursday, February 4, 2010

Bid and Eat for Haiti! Announcing a Fundraising Online Auction

Starting Friday Feb 5, 2010, I will be holding an online silent auction to benefit CHF International and Operation USA for their Haiti relief efforts!

Various Los Angeles restaurants, coffee shops, and chefs have generously donated gift cards and other items that you can bid on via Bid and Eat!

All proceeds from this auction will go to the two charities mentioned above, so please take the time to peruse the item and bid on this website!


About CHF International’s Efforts in Haiti:

CHF International responded to the earthquake immediately. We have a team of around 170 staff in Haiti, including many infrastructure and construction experts, who have been undertaking one of the largest USAID funded infrastructure rehabilitation and job creation programs in Haiti since 2006, and who have been responsible for repairing vital infrastructure damaged in the 2008 tropical storm season.

CHF is assisting relief efforts in the immediate aftermath, and then we will focus on the needs of the people as they transition from basic survival to recovery. This includes some of CHF’s areas of greatest expertise such as building ‘transitional shelters’; temporary homes that meet international standards where a family can live during the recovery period; helping to generate livelihoods, by employing people in the clean up of their community; and aiding reconstruction efforts by creating earthquake resistant buildings.



About Operation USA:

Operation USA helps communities alleviate the effects of disasters, disease and endemic poverty throughout the world by providing privately-funded relief, reconstruction and development aid. We provide material and financial assistance to grassroots organizations that promote sustainable development, leadership and capacity building, income generating activities, provide education and health services, and advocate on behalf of vulnerable people.

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This auction will start on Friday Feb 5, 2010 and runs until midnight of Tuesday Feb 9, 2010 , so you can only bid on items between those times!

This should give you plenty of time to browse and bid.

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A big thank you to all the generous donors!

All of the donors are listed below:

Allston Yacht Club

Bond St. Beverly Hills
Ciudad
Fleming's
Fraiche
iHerb, inc.
Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea
Jian BBQ
LudoBites
Petrossian West Hollywood
Pizzeria Ortica
Rivera
Rush Street
Wine Detective
... and a little something from moi ;)

Friday, January 22, 2010

Haitian Libations on Feb 6th! Raise Money for Charity

In conjunction with Vertical Wine Bistro, bloggers Mattatouille, RumDood, and I will be hosting the Haitian Libations Charity Event to help the earthquake victims in Haiti.

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Here are the deets:

When: Saturday, Feb 6th. 10pm-2am

What: 50% of the profits from the bar/lounge area will be donated to Artists for Peace and Justice who will personally deliver our aid to Haiti the week after! This includes cocktails, wine, and food sold at the bar area.

Also, us three bloggers will be personally making drinks behind the bar. We will be serving these three drinks for the night: Aviation, Vieux Carre, and Port-Au-Prince (a RumDood-original cocktail using the Haitian rum, Rhum Barbancourt).

Where:
Vertical Wine Bistro
70 N Raymond Ave
Pasadena, CA

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Play Trivia and End World Hunger!

FreeRice donates 20 grains of rice to the UN World Food Program for each trivia answer you get correct!

They have multiple trivia categories such as English Language, Art, Math, etc.

I am identifying the artists of paintings now - and I'm glad to discover that I still know my artists. Even after years of being a nerd ... :)

Some of you may be playing games on facebook right now, but instead of that, why not play this trivia and do some good in the meantime?



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