Sweet Tooth

Somehow the holidays are upon us at the stroke of midnight on November 1st.  Whole foods has their holiday orders table set up in the meat department.  Formaggio Kitchen has their list of delicious Thanksgiving offerings.  Hi-Rise has their towering list that sways down over the weekly dinner sheet at the cash register listing all the Thanksgiving goodies.  And *gasp* Santa Claus is already at the Burlington mall.

This month there are some great ways to give and receive.  Here are two of them:

Pie in the Sky: Community Servings is an organization that provides meals to the acutely ill, their families, and their caregivers.  Since November 1993, Community Servings has done this Pie in the Sky fundraiser.  Boston’s best restaurants, bakeries, caterers and hotels have donated thousands of pies that over 350 volunteers then sell to family, friends and colleagues. Each pie costs $25, which in turn provides a week’s worth of meals to a Community Servings’ client and a tasty Thanksgiving treat to the buyer. A full list of the “bakers” can be found on their website but they include; UpStairs on the Square, Chez Henri, Harvest and Rialto.

Home Sweet Home:  Cambridge Housing Assitance Fund (CHAF) works with the community to help break the cycle of homelessness.  As CHAF’s Chairman, David Pap, points out ‘Preventing homelessness is far less expensive, and far more effective, than paying to house a family once they become homeless.’  CHAF is having an evening of desserts and dancing to raise money on November 14th at the Hyatt Regency in Cambridge.  Featured chefs will be Judy Rosenberg of Rosie’s Bakery, Jed Hackney of Harvest Restaurant, Robert Daugherty of the Hyatt Regency among others.  In addition, Sommelier Augusto Gabriel will give wine tasting tips in the VIP room where appetizers, port and  wine tastings will be available.  Tickets are $50 or $75 for the VIP room.

Think Local, Thank Local:  From November 16th through November 23rd a group of local businesses have pledged a portion of their revenue to On The Rise, which is a homeless shelter for women in Cambridge and the surrounding area.  So you can support local businesses as well as On The Rise, by shopping locally.  My neighbourhood stores participating are:  Easy Chairs, Full Moon Restaurant, Hallie’s Garden, Henry Bear’s Park, Didriks and The Fishmonger.  For a full list of stores visit the website for Think Local, Thank Local.  Happy Shopping.

Bon appetit.  ttyl your BFF (Boston Family Foodie)

For more info: Pie in the Sky, Community Servings
Home Sweet Home,  Cambridge Housing Assistance Fund
Thank Local Thank Local, On The Rise