MORSELS
‘March is Hungry’ puts food on the table
2/14/2016
Spring is coming — it’s time to stop hibernating. Instead, throw a party to help raise money to fight hunger in the Toledo area.
March is Hungry is Food for Thought’s annual fund-raiser that invites you to invite those who would like to contribute to this organization that helps to feed those in need. Anyone can host any kind of party; just be sure to let your guests know about the good cause, so they’ll know how important their financial donations are. (A representative from Food for Thought might even be able to attend your event.) March is a critical time because generous donations given at the holidays have dwindled, but hunger is a year-round constant.
Food for Thought served 8,500 households in 2015 with mobile pantries that let clients choose their own groceries (both nonperishables and fresh produce), and also with its Saturday morning peanut butter and jelly sandwich picnics. Sponsors of March is Hungry include Balance Pan-Asian Grille, El Tipico Restaurant, Mancy’s Italian Grill, and Zingo’s Mediterranean.
For more information, to sign up to host a fund-raising event, or to donate online go to marchishungry.com.
Toledo SOUP
It’s time for the first social welfare-focused edition of Toledo SOUP, a quarterly micro fund-raising event to support local organizations. So head to the Sofia Quintero Art and Cultural Center, 1225 Broadway, at 5 p.m. on Feb. 21. You’ll learn about projects that need financial help, make friends, and enjoy fantastic soup (with all the fixin’s) prepared by some of our area’s best chefs. (At this time, soup makers include Maureen Brogan of the Original Sub Shop, Hassan Hassan of the Executive Diner, and Andrew Veselenak of Shawn’s Irish Tavern.)
It’s very easy to show some community pride and be a part of a Toledo SOUP event: Pay $5 at the door, enjoy a soup dinner, listen as representatives make presentations about their organizations and why funds are critical to their success, vote for your favorite social welfare project (presenters are still being determined), and applaud when the winner is announced. All the money raised at the event will go to the top vote-getter; at past events, this has been as much as $1,200.
Toledo SOUP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit group coordinated by volunteers. For more information, go to toledosoup.com.
Cupcake Showdown
The Children’s Theatre Workshop at 2417 Collingwood Blvd. is hosting its fifth annual Cupcake Showdown — the sweetest fund-raiser around, at which local bakers and bakeries will be competing to see who makes the best cupcakes in town. Who could possibly resist? The event will be on March 5 at 2 p.m., and this year’s theme is a tie-in with the group’s summer production of Broadway’s A Year with Frog and Toad.
Tickets cost $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors; children under age 5 can attend for free with a paying adult. You’ll get to sample all the cupcakes, nibble on appetizers and other refreshments, and participate in raffles and a silent auction.
For more information or to purchase tickets, go to ctwtoledo.org or call 419-244-5061.
Glass City Wine Fest
On March 5, the Glass City Wine Festival at the SeaGate Convention Centre, 401 Jefferson Ave., will offer opportunities to sample wines from nearly two dozen Ohio producers, taste gourmet cheeses and treats from local restaurants, and shop to your heart’s content from a variety of vendors. This premiere event is a fund-raiser for the Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank, which helps to fight hunger in eight counties.
Daytime tickets cost $25 for 1 to 4 p.m., $35 for VIPs offering early admission at noon; evening tickets cost $30 for 6 to 9 p.m., $40 for VIPs offering early admission at 5 p.m.
For more information or to buy tickets, go to glasscitywinefestival.com.
Contact Mary Bilyeu at mbilyeu@theblade.com or 419-724-6155.