Photos:Wire Image
By Amanda Laz
The volunteer community came together in a big way to party for a cause at New York City's Basketball City on Pier 36. The 2010 National Conference on Volunteering and Service continued at Target's "Party For Good: Making Meals to Feed Young Minds." The night started out with a goal of providing 150,000 meals for New York City families, totaling around 4,000 meal kits each containing enough food to feed a family of four 3 meals for 3 days. The Food Bank For New York City is set to deliver these kits (created by volunteers at the event) to families in need and realize Target's mission of providing the nutrition necessary to ensure quality school performance. The Insider's Lara Spencer emceed the event, along with the likes of American Idol runner-up Katharine McPhee (above), celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito and a bevy of Real Housewives.
Inside the converted basketball complex, assembly lines bordered the flashing red and white walls as mega-screens broadcast performances from the live stage. McPhee championed the importance of providing meals for children even when they are not in school and she vowed to continue to volunteer at a California Food Bank in the near future. Kelly Bensimon was moved by the cause as well and decided to add a feathered earring to her jewelry line (with proceeds going to the organization) after seeing, "the change in peoples eyes after eating"when volunteering at a food bank .
Attendees were kept well fed with buffet style tables of food to fuel the celebration. Leftovers were thoughtfully set aside for donation and compost bins were in place for maximum utility. A bar in the middle of the room and ice cream carts accompanied the festivities. Target volunteers kept the assembly lines moving and each 25,000 meal kits created resulted in a new surprise, most notably a performance by McPhee. The 150,000 meal goal was realized in the last half hour of the event to a proud crowd. DeSpirito (above with Bensimon) summed up the evening nicely: providing food "is something near and dear to my heart because I like to feed people, I like the feeling of being full and I like the feeling of being at a table with your friends and family. It makes me very sad that there are people out there that can't enjoy that."
The celebration ensured that thousands more could worry a little less, and enjoy a little more.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment