Do you love classic cars? Do you love a great party? Do you want to help put the brakes on hunger in metro Detroit?
Check out the cars, hit the dance floor and enjoy a strolling dinner from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Friday, August 19, during Forgotten Harvest's Champagne Cruise at Westborn Market in Berkley, Michigan.
Classic car cruising hits its peak out on Woodward on the eve of the official Dream Cruise (which happens on August 20), making it the perfect time to enjoy the road show. The Champagne Cruise's combination of Dream Cruise-eve timing and Woodward-side location makes it one of the best places to check out the cars while helping fund Forgotten Harvest's mobile food rescue operation.
Small placards on the tables last year reminded supporters of just how far their donations went in the drive to end hunger in metro Detroit. Forgotten Harvest rescued 19.4 million pounds of food this year, delivering prepared and perishable food otherwise destined for the trash into the hands of 165 emergency food providers in the metro area.
The Champagne Cruise itself raised enough money last year to provide more than 625,000 meals to hungry metro Detroiters. I can't think of a better reason to support an event that is also a heck of a lot of fun.
Forgotten Harvest sets up a huge tent in the parking lot at Westborn Market. Valets are on hand to park your car (something you'll really appreciate if you've ever braved the crowds to find a parking spot of your own along Woodward during Cruise weekend) and volunteers welcome Champagne Cruise attendees with (what else?) a chilled glass of champagne. The market puts out an amazing selection of cheeses and produce, and you can stroll and sample your way through a series of stations where a handful of area restaurants and caterers plate some of their best dishes for your enjoyment.
Bid on a silent auction featuring weekend trips or one-of-a-kind metro Detroit experiences, dance the night away to the soulful sounds of Charles and Gwen Scales, or just grab a great spot to check out the cool rides out on Woodward.
I've always admired Forgotten Harvest for its approach to addressing the dual problems of hunger and waste by rescuing good food from the landfill and getting it to those who need it most.
I also find Forgotten Harvest's consistent four-star rating from Charity Navigator impressive. Forgotten Harvest spends 95-plus percent of its funds on food programming and less than 5 percent of its money on administrative or fund raising costs. I like knowing that the organization spends my money wisely, which makes it much easier to spend the $150 per ticket to attend the Champagne Cruise.
The Champagne Cruise is a great way to have some serious fun while supporting Forgotten Harvest's serious mission.
See you there?
© Dominique King 2011 All rights reserved
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