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This weekend, foodies from all over the East End will come together in Amagansett at a fund-raiser for East End food pantries. The “Ladles of Love” fund-raiser will raise much-needed funds for food pantries from Southampton to Montauk at a time of year when donations have dropped off.
The brainchild of Art of Eating owners John Kowalenko and his wife, Cheryl Stair, the event—which will feature soups, chili and beverages from more than 25 local restaurants after 6 p.m.—will be held at the Art of Eating location on Montauk Highway in Amagansett from noon to 10 p.m.
“People forget that people are hungry all year long, not just at Christmastime,” Sag Harbor Food Pantry Director Lillian Woudsma said this week, explaining that donations all but stop after the holidays.
Like staffers at many of the local food pantries, Ms. Woudsma said she has seen a spike in the number of people relying on her pantry for food in recent months. Currently, she and her volunteers are helping more than 900 people a month.
Ms. Woudsma is not alone. In Southampton, Mary Ann Tupper, the director of the Human Resources food pantry there, said she’s also seeing an increase in the number of people who need help during the current economic downturn.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen numbers like this,” she said in a recent interview, adding that the food pantry is serving more than 120 families a week. “The demand at the food pantries is at a peak. Every day we have 4 or 5 new people coming in. This winter is not going to be good; there’s not a lot of work out there. These are regular people: we’re serving your neighbors.”
Mr. Kowalenko, who has been involved in helping the local food pantries for nearly two decades, said that every person he has asked to participate in the event by donating services, food or supplies has jumped at the chance to help.
“They hear it’s for the food pantries and they just really want to help,” he said with a grateful smile.
The tent at The Art of Eating will be open from noon to 6 p.m. and accepting donations for the food pantries. Area residents can bring non-perishable items in cans and boxes and fresh produce to the “Soup Kitchen Ladle Out” tent throughout the day to help neighbors without work or food. Monetary donations will also be accepted.
During the food drive, complimentary coffee and cider will be served to anyone who stops in, whether they are able to make a donation or just in need of a hot beverage. Admission is free.
Beginning at 6 p.m. tickets will be required for the evening’s events. Mr. Kowalenko is recommending that diners purchase tickets in advance, so that little food will go to waste in planning for the event. Tickets are available at all Bridgehampton National Bank locations on the South Fork.
With tickets priced at $49 each, Mr. Kowalenko pointed out, people can meet and greet representatives of the different food pantries and enjoy a night of music, beer, wine, and great food for under $100 for a couple.
Vendors that will be donating services and products include: Art of Eating, Hampton Event Management, Amagansett Wine & Sprits, Bermuda Parties, Coca Cola Bottling Company of New York, Inc., Crystal Media Inc., Emil Norsic & Son, Hampton Coffee Company, Herman Lamison Security, Matt Murphy Lighting, The Milk Pail, Montauk Printing, Nassau Tents, Peconic Woodworking-Jim McConville, Plum TV, Premium Supply Company, Searles Graphics, Southampton Publick House, Wainscott Wine & Spirits, and WordHampton Public Relations.
Food vendors include: Art of Eating, Babette’s, Cynthia Battaglia Catering, Della Femina, Golden Pear Café, Gurney’s Inn & Resort, Hampton Coffee, Harvest on Fort Pond, Il Cappuccino, La Fondita, The Laundry, The Meeting House, Naturally Good Café, The Palm, Paradise Café, Robert’s, The Seafood Shop, Sen, Stuart’s Seafood, Taste of the North Fork, Tweed’s Restaurant and Dark Horse Catering.
“We’re part of the community and being part of the community we want to give something back,” said Mark Smith, a principal in the ownership of Rowdy Hall, Nick & Toni’s, La Fondita and Town Line BBQ.
He added that aside from helping a good cause, the evening is a way for people to have a great night out when there’s little going on in the Hamptons. “This time of the year there’s not a lot going on. Unfortunately it’s a tough time economically, but it’s not a lot of money considering you know the quality of food you’re going to get.”
In addition to raising money, and obtaining donations for the food pantries this weekend, Mr. Kowalenko is hoping this event will raise awareness about the support needed for the pantries to survive, and even bring food pantry coordinators and volunteers together to brainstorm on other ways to raise funds.
Area musicians are also pitching in to help make the evening a success. Donating their services are popular East End bands Vivian and the Merry Makers, Mama Lee and Friends, Bastards of Boom, Jim Lawlor, Matt Coss, Garrett Shuppe and Friends, and Cross Roads Music.
With the economy in a tailspin, and everyone trying to cut back on extra expenses, Ms. Woudsma said she has been hearing about local food pantries losing their largest donors, or angels.
“Hopefully this will bring out some angels that just don’t know they’re angels yet,” said Mr. Kowalenko. “Maybe this will give some people some wings.”
For more information on Saturday’s fund-raiser, visit www.ladlesoflove.com.
27east on Jan 13, 2009