So much to be thankful for these holidays
While our hearts still sink, sometimes deeply, for those who lost such big parts of their lives in our October fires, we have a lot to be thankful for, much of it coming from both far and near.
From afar on the East Coast: The Chesapeake Bay Wine Classic Foundation at Hampton Roads apparently raised about $1.1 million at its Nov. 9 auction in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and has generously donated $101,000 to our wine country relief efforts, dividing the funds between the Community Foundation of Sonoma County and the Napa Valley Community Foundation.
Hampton Roads is also known as Tidewater and includes Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Newport News and Hampton as well as Williamsburg. Vineyards in the area grow primarily cabernet franc, viognier and tramminette varietals.
The Chesapeake Bay Wine Classic Foundation works “to provide funds to organizations dedicated to the support and advanced education of our youth to promote viticulture and oenology in Hampton Roads to promote medical research,” according to its website. To give one-tenth of its auction profits to Sonoma and Napa counties is phenomenal. They even added auction items to specifically raise extra funds to give to our Sonoma and Napa county needs.
Let’s hope we will have their backs if needed as well. Truly amazing. Thank you!
Facebook food continues
And from near and nearer, Facebook and their caterers, Bon Appetit Management, are still providing meals to several nonprofits around Sonoma Valley, often distributed by Kiwanis of Sonoma Plaza via the No Pay Café, as demand for food appears to be consistent and even growing according to Friends in Sonoma Helping (FISH). As well, Amy’s Kitchens has given two pallets of canned food, and Patt’s Copy World and Sonoma Lions Club have been delivering pallets of food to local nonprofits.
Under the radar food providers
Barbara Hughes points out some “under the radar work in our community, much of it going on throughout the year, but with increased effort, attention and need right now and for some time to come. There are a few folks doing small, but important things.” And she is so right.
Barbie and Pat Hoffman (owner of Tae Kwon Do) and managers of Econo-Wash, immediately put up a resource board and a table with food for families and individuals who needed to wash their clothes.
Ceres Community Project of Sebastopol delivered 150 freshly made sandwich boxes to St. Leo’s daily. A small group of volunteers fanned out in the Springs delivering sandwiches wherever there is need. They delivered boxes at the Econo-Wash each day and found people were waiting a couple of hours there for volunteers to arrive. Ceres trains youth and other volunteers to prepare fresh, healthy meals for critically ill members of the community. They are increasing their output daily, with funding from Community Foundation Sonoma County.
Brown Baggers crank it up a notch
The Brown Baggers, part of Sonoma Overnight Support, and one of the late Elizabeth Kemp’s favorite projects to feed people in need, has made thousands of burritos and sandwiches, hundreds of pots of soup, and loads of other tummy warming foods over the years.
Currently they serve a hot meal every Friday late afternoon that consists of at least a hearty soup, green salad, and dessert at La Luz Center from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., a bit early to clear out Booker Hall for computer classes. According to leader Jude Sales, “We would be delighted to serve more folks and we do offer food ‘to go’ for people who ask. Several of our clients take food for neighbors who are homebound.”
As well, the Brown Baggers have resumed their free Wednesday lunches at Springs Community Hall from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. All are welcome. Great news.
Christmas lunch or dinner? In or Out?
Yes we have food rituals we associate with certain holidays, like turkey for both Thanksgiving and Christmas, ham for Easter. Somehow if we serve lamb or beef or a vegetarian meal for any of these days some of us feel as if we are secretly beating the system.
If you don’t want to cook but prefer to stay home, you can skip the whole thing or order Whole Foods’ and Sonoma Market’s fully cooked or ready-to warm meals in the $100 range.
Remember to include someone who might be alone.
Palms Grill offers a special menu of 12-ounce herb-crusted prime rib at $24.95 or honey-glazed ham with sweet potato and green beans at $17.95. All day and evening to 10 p.m. 18999 Sonoma Highway. 939-8100.
Black Bear Diner will serve its usual hot turkey plate with red-skinned mashed potatoes, vegetables, gravy and cranberry sauce at $11.99 until 8 p.m. 201 W. Napa St. 935-6800.
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