9.30.2010

Moveable Feast is going GREEN

Check out this article from AFRO, "City Awards Funds to Non-Profits for Energy Efficiency" - about how the Community Energy Savers Grant Program awarded a large grant that will help our building go green.

HEBCAC, which did the ten-year renovation project on our building, received $46,000, one of the larger grants awarded through the program. The money will be used to "upgrade the HVAC system, insulation, replace old light bulbs with high efficiency bulbs, and install solar shades...There are 60 pretty large windows than can drain a lot of energy."

Moveable Feast is housed in the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Community Center, a historic location at 901 N. Milton Avenue. 

Share your going-green tips and help us save the environment and conserve funding! 

9.29.2010

Weekly Health Tip: Almonds

Last week we said that yogurt could help you cut fat in your diet. What's a great topping for yogurt? Almond pieces! 

Eating 25 whole almonds (equivalent to approximately 1 ounce) per day - in REPLACEMENT of a fattier snack such as potato chips or cheeses - can help you maintain a healthy cholesterol level

These almonds also give about 35% of your daily vitamin E, 20% of your daily value of magnesium, 6 grams of protein, and 3 grams of fiber - all nutrients that your body needs to keep functioning at peak performance. 

Almonds can be bought by weight or in a jar at any supermarket or grocery store. Easy to find & easy to eat...it's so easy to be healthy.

9.27.2010

Interview with our Volunteers - "Moveable Feast Throughout the Years"


Ruth, Joyce, and Jeanne have been volunteering at Moveable Feast for years; Ruth for eleven, and Jeanne and Joyce for eight. Today, they are sharing their experiences.

So how did you find out about Moveable Feast? What continues to bring you here to volunteer your time?

Ruth: I found Moveable Feast through the local paper eleven years ago. I like food, I like being around food, I’m generally a food person, so I figured I would enjoy spending some of my extra time around food. I had been helping my daughter with her kids, but then the kids went back to school, so I had a great deal of extra time. And another thing that brings me to Moveable Feast is the people. Everyone is so nice and welcoming here. I met Jeanne and Joyce and we have been volunteering together for years. I really enjoy spending time here. And it’s very fulfilling to get thank-yous from the people we help, and to know that they are grateful. It’s great to help people that are going through such difficult times. 

How did you guys start volunteering? What got you interested? 

Joyce: You know, I volunteer at Moveable Feast because when I was growing up, there were always people that didn’t have food. And my grandmother and mother would always go out there and help them out.

Jeanne: My family was in the food business. You know, grocery stores and markets. Even the men were very involved with food. All the men in my family, all they could talk about was food. So I was always interested in food.

So what do you do on a typical day volunteering here?

Jeanne: We pack the food. We don’t get a great deal of contact with the people that we serve. Sometimes we work in the kitchen preparing the food, you know, cutting and cooking. But mostly we pack the food into the containers that are delivered to the homes. We use the machine that plastic-wraps the containers with an airtight seal. 

Joyce: Yeah, we used to do it all by hand though. We didn’t get that machine until about two, two-and-a-half years ago. Until then, all the food packaging was done one-by-one. The containers were like Tupperware, with the lids that click on.

Jeanne: Yes, the machine has definitely increased the amount of food we can package and serve. I think we got it from St. Benedict’s, originally. 


Jeanne and Ruth have been volunteering at Moveable Feast for so long that they have seen the transition of the organization through many different locations.

Jeanne: We used to be back at The Haussner’s Restaurant, which is kind of like a Baltimore landmark, a very popular restaurant back in the day. When it shut down, Haussner’s was given to the Culinary Institute, who did not have a use for it at the time, so it was rented out to Moveable Feast. It was a very large space but was not good to work in. The equipment was very old and the ceiling was so leaky!

Joyce: Yeah, you guys had to pick your way around the buckets to catch the dripping water!

Jeanne: Then we moved to St. Benedict’s, which was kind of like a cafeteria-style kitchen in an old basement. It was very small. Finally we moved to 901 N. Milton Ave, which is a great location!

What other changes have you guys appreciated?


Joyce:
The best part is the chef, Damon. You can tell that with him, the quality of the food is much finer. We make so many more things from scratch than we did before. Before, many of the foods contained a number of processed things – now, most of it is from scratch.

Jeanne: And the appearance of the food is so much better with him. It just LOOKS tastier! He uses more seasoning and spices than ever before.

Jeanne: Here’s another great thing about Damon – he is so approachable. Basically, I have this garden in my neighborhood. And everyone in the surrounding houses comes and tends to this garden, where we grow produce and herbs. And I could not determine what a particular herb was, and Damon graciously said he would take a look at it. 



TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK...

9.23.2010

Today, Dine Out For Life.


Today, September 23rd, is Baltimore's 2010 Dining Out for Life. Forty-seven Baltimore restaurants are participating, with donation levels ranging from 20% to 50% of all proceeds of the day. Many restaurants are open for breakfast and lunch in addition to dinner, to satisfy even the busiest person's schedule.

Check out the list of participating restaurants, which also includes the restaurant websites and valid mealtimes. 

Moveable Feast is also featuring two competitions for Dining Out For Life. The first is our 2010 Blogger Restaurant Review Competition, outlined in this blog post. The second is our 2010 Photoshoot Competition, described on this Facebook event - the prize is a signed copy of Pam Grier's memoir, and all you have to do is eat and smile for the camera! :) 

See everyone tonight at Dining Out For Life!

Each year, you may dine out hundreds of times at restaurants all over the city. Today is the one day of the year where you can dine out in Baltimore and help hundreds of your fellow Marylanders struggling with HIV/AIDS, breast cancer, or homelessness. Today, take a bite out of philanthropy.

9.22.2010

Weekly Health Tip: Yogurt

If you're trying to slim down or even just maintain a healthier figure, turn to yogurt.

In 2007, Danish scientists in conjunction with the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that eating a yogurt after a meal like lunch or dinner can cut the amount of fat in your bloodstream by about 20 percent.

Dairy calcium can help prevent your body from absorbing fat. Apparently, calcium supplements do not have the same effect, so stock up on that Yoplait, Dannon, Brown Cow, Activia, and Fruit-on-the-Bottom! Deeeelish!

9.20.2010

Special Thanks to CurlyRed


On August 12th, local graphic design company CurlyRed held a happy hour at Blarney Stone Pub. But this was no normal happy hour – it doubled as a food drive, where people could also bring donations for Moveable Feast. In particular, we asked for cans of tuna in water, peanut butter, and boxes of macaroni & cheese.

The happy hour featured discounts on many drinks. Despite the rainy weather, there was still a turnout of about fifteen people! A large box of food products was collected for Moveable Feast. Guinness beers and margaritas were enjoyed by all – what a great way to spend a Thursday afternoon after work.

We spoke to Kendall Ludwig, the owner of CurlyRed, about her desire to help Moveable Feast. She heard about us through a Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce networking breakfast that was held at our building at 901 N. Milton Avenue. Kendall was “blown away” by our organization, and in particular, how many people Moveable Feast services. She says, “It's amazing how much they can do with such limited resources and relatively small space to make it all happen” – quite a compliment!

She started to think of ways she could help, and e-mailed our director, Tom Bonderenko, for more ideas. Kendall’s intern had a connection to Blarney Stone Pub in Fells Point, through whom she was able to arrange the happy hour and drink specials to benefit Moveable Feast. Kendall says that she “hopes to find new and innovative ways to help Moveable Feast.”

Kendall really did a great job with this happy hour. Anyone else who has a great idea to help us can contact Tom and share it with him; his door and inbox are always open!  


About CurlyRed: CurlyRed is a 4-year-old local graphic design company that works with people and businesses to create fresh, captivating and timeless design with great personal service. Discover samples and testimonials at www.curlyred.com or contact Kendall at kendall@curlyred.com.

9.16.2010

Blogger Bonanza - a DOFL Restaurant Review Competition


Dining Out For Life 2010 is next Thursday, September 23rd, and we're quite excited! 

Moveable Feast is announcing the 2010 Blogger Restaurant Review competition! Any and all food bloggers are welcome to compete - you can be a fledgling new blogger, or an experienced, well-read (and well-fed) one.

How to Compete:
  1. Dine out for life on September 23rd at a participating restaurant.
  2. Write a restaurant review- we're looking for thoroughness of the review, quality of the writing, and of course, a lot of flair and fun :)
  3. Submit the restaurant review by Friday, October 1st, to esze@mfeast.org. This can be submitted as a Word Document or simply in the body of the email.
The top ten restaurant reviews will be chosen and posted weekly on our blog for the next ten weeks. We're doing this to both promote Dining Out for Life and the participating restaurants who are helping Moveable Feast with their donations. 

Please direct all questions to Emily at esze@mfeast.org or 410-327-3420 x39.

Our participating restaurants are:
Fifty Percent Donors

Thirty-Three Percent Donors

Twenty-five Percent Donors

Twenty Percent Donors
Luna Blu
Yellow Dog Tavern             

9.14.2010

Farm to Feast Day - Success!

We had a great time at Farm to Feast Day on Saturday, September 11th!

Ten volunteers came out and we stayed even later than planned - we were having so much fun picking potatoes and green beans. All the produce collected will be used to help feed our clients! 

It was held at First Fruits Farm in Freeland, MD (there's a tongue twister for ya!). This organization is a Christian Ministry that grows produce for the needy.
 
Here's two of our dietitians, Betty and Sara, having a great time out in the field: 


Thanks to all who came out!

NEWS BITES - Komen Maryland Race for the Cure 2010


The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Maryland was started in 1993 and has developed into the largest footrace in the state. Each year, it raises hundreds of thousands of dollars that are donated as grants to various breast cancer programs in Maryland. Moveable Feast is proud to be one of those programs, delivering food to people living with breast cancer.

This year’s Race for the Cure is on 
October 3rd, 2010. To learn more and to sign up, please visit http://komenmd.org. Komen Maryland needs YOUR help to continue raising money – there’s only a few weeks left before the Race!

9.11.2010

NEWS BITES - Dining Out For Life 2010


Every day, thousands of people all over America eat out at restaurants for lunch and dinner, enjoying delicious food experience that is created for them by a host of chefs, cooks, and waiters. We often think nothing of being able to eat out at a restaurant with our families and friends on a regular basis. Yet there are others for whom eating regularly and receiving proper nutrition is a daily challenge. And once a year, Baltimore’s residents can simultaneously dine out and help people who need our support.

Dining Out For Life is an annual fundraiser held nationwide that raises money for local AIDS organizations. Moveable Feast has been holding Dining Out For Life in Baltimore for 17 years. At participating restaurants, a minimum of 20% of proceeds from breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner are donated to Moveable Feast. Last year, fifty-three restaurants participated and we raised over $70,000! All the money went to help our clients, who are fighting HIV/AIDS, breast cancer, and homelessness.

Restaurants also benefit from this event. Not only do they receive promotions on fliers, posters, radio, and television, but each restaurant is assigned an Ambassador. Ambassadors work very hard to encourage their neighbors, friends, and family to eat at their assigned restaurant on the day of Dining Out For Life. As a result, restaurants often see an increase in their patronage on the day of the event.

This year, we talked to Shana Carmel Challmes, who has been the Ambassador at our longest-participating restaurant, Mt. Vernon Stable & Saloon, for the past seven years. 

What initially drew you to Dining Out For Life and this particular restaurant?
It was a simple decision. This is a wonderful cause. My friends work at Mt. Vernon Stable, and it’s a fun environment with great food. The customers are one-of-a-kind!!

Why do you enjoy volunteering for DOFL each year?

Because I know that this will be one day of the year that I know I can make a difference.  So I work that much harder for those that are in need.

What is your favorite part?

Ooh…picking out my outfit…that first impression is a lasting one.  I have regulars that come every year to see what I am wearing. In fact, now that I am doing this interview, I think I have to step it up a notch!

What is your favorite dish at Mt. Vernon Stables? Why?
The toasted raviolis are by far my favorite.  I can pop one in my mouth in-between table hopping!

What is your funniest experience as an Ambassador?
It has to be from 2 years ago when I knelt down to speak to a table of four.  As they placed what they could afford in the envelope I got so excited that each individual was filling out an envelope that I had not noticed that my shoe was stepping on the hem of my skirt and I jumped up as my skirt was pulled down.  Good times.  I think they gave more.

Dining Out for Life is for a great cause that often can hit close to home. What was your most touching experience?
Now I have heard many stories from people on why they come out for DOFL, but nothing ever prepared me for this. Most Ambassadors know certain tables might just be off limits for you to go up to.  They give you that “look” or they wave you away before you even approach. Last year this woman came in, didn’t make eye contact and was a little taken aback as I sat her down at her table for one. She sighed as she breezed through the menu and didn’t seem too interested in all the festivities around her. I introduced myself and asked if I could sit with her and tell her what I am doing here this evening.

She quietly obliged me and began to explain that she knew what tonight was.  “You see”, she said now finally making eye contact with me, “I lost my best friend to AIDS only but a few months ago and I did not know what to do for him.”  We began talking about Robert and his life and she began to light up as I laughed and choked back a few tears.  I sat with her throughout her meal as she told me how excited she was that she finally had the courage to come out to DOFL - that she had the opportunity to celebrate him as a person but that she was also giving to a great cause.  We made a pact to see each other at DOFL every year. I look forward to seeing her on September 23rd.

Dining Out For Life this year takes place on September 23rd, 2010. For a list of participating restaurants, please visit diningoutforlife.com/Baltimore.

Want to be an Ambassador on September 23rd? Contact Amanda Fisher at afisher@mfeast.org, or call 410-327-3420.

9.10.2010

NEWS BITES - B'More Aware of HIV: The Living Red Ribbon

In Baltimore, more than 12,000 people currently live with AIDS. It is expected that at least another 1,200 people will become newly infected or diagnosed by the end of this year.

Moveable Feast has partnered with two other local organizations - ChaseBrexton Health Services and AIDS Interfaith Residential Services – to bring Baltimore a year of HIV/AIDS awareness events and activities.

This educational year kicks off with the B’more Aware of HIV: The Living Red Ribbon event, which takes place on October 9th at Rash Field in the Inner Harbor. The day focuses on the creation of a human red ribbon using artwork created by local art organization Art With A Heart.

We’ll be trying to break the Guinness Book of World Records for a living HIV red ribbon; the current record is held by a group in Frankfurt, Germany. They created a ribbon with 3,640 people on June 29th, 2007.

The day will also feature live entertainment with local bands, the famous HealthyGroove RV by Maryland Physicians Care, sponsor booths with giveaways, and of course HIV resources and testing stations.

On August 17th, members of Moveable Feast, ChaseBrexton, and AIRS teamed up with videographer Brent Bederka to create a promotional video. Check it out below!



For more information and to register for the event, please check out the B'more Aware of HIV homepage.

9.07.2010

Stupendous September

Ahh, Labor Day weekend has come and gone, and outside will soon begin to feel like autumn. With the change of the season, we'd like to update you on some of our exciting upcoming events. 

  •  On Saturday 9/11, we'll be having our Farm To Feast event, where we'll be harvesting produce for our clients at First Fruits Farm in Freeland, MD from 8:30AM to 12:30PM. It should be a great day filled with sunshine, fruits, vegetables, and fun! Transportation is provided. RSVP to jburdg@mfeast.org. For more information, check out the Farm to Feast Facebook Page.
  • Monday 9/13 marks the finale of the Mason Dixon Master Chef competition, featuring restaurants RED STAR and BEZU battling to the end! A portion of all ticket proceeds go to Moveable Feast. To purchase tickets and for more information, check out the Mason Dixon Master Chef website.
  • On Wednesday 9/15, we'll be sending out our Fall eNewsletter! It'll be packed with great information, pictures, and even a video. To sign up for the newsletter, just fill out the box at the top of this blog page, or visit the sign-up page.
  • On Thursday 9/23, DINING OUT FOR LIFE will be taking place all over Baltimore! This is one of our biggest events, and all you have to do is dine out at a participating restaurant. For more information, check out the Dining Out For Life Facebook page, and view a list of participating restaurants.
That's all, folks! Don't forget to check out our event calendar tab on this blog for other upcoming events!