International Corporate Philanthropy Day

What do Coldwell Banker, Friedman & Associates, Johns Hopkins Health Systems and GEICO have in common? They are all long time sponsors of Ride for the Feast and valuable corporate partners that help to further the vital work we do at Moveable Feast.

Today, on International Corporate Philanthropy Day, we want to take a moment to recognize, thank and raise awareness about these and other corporate partners and the positive impact their philanthropy makes on our mission and services. 



Ride For The Feast 2010

During our 21 years in the community, corporate philanthropy has come to mean so much more than writing a check and getting ad space in return. Our partners have shown genuine interest in our events and services and have challenged us to get creative with building meaningful relationships. Many partners go beyond  traditional Ride for the Feast sponsorships to support Moveable Feast: corporate employees come out throughout the year to volunteer in our kitchen and grocery room; year after year Johns Hopkins Health Systems employees actually ride the 140 miles to support our cause; T. Rowe Price sponsors their employee riders, helping them meet their goal of $1300 per person; and corporations like Utz and Berger Cookie offer in-kind donations of food to keep Ride for the Feast running smoothly.

When it comes to Ride for the Feast, our corporate partners enable us to make good on our promise to riders that 100% of the money they raise will go directly to help our clients.  And ultimately that’s what everything- the two days of riding, the corporate partnerships, the goal of raising $290,000- is all about: our clients and helping to put one more nutritious meal on the table so that they too can lead healthy, productive lives.

Thanks to the following corporate partners for helping Moveable Feast continue this important work:

• Bill Magruder of Coldwell Banker
• Friedman & Associates
• HMS Insurance
• Johns Hopkins Health System
• Ober | Kaler Law Associates
• Tibotec
• Utz Snacks
• Whole Foods Market - Harbor East

"Orientation Ride!"

Hey Riders! You should have received our latest "News Bites, Ride Edition" which went out on Wednesday, February 23rd.

It covered the upcoming Orientation Ride being held at RFTF Committee Member Jules Jung's house, on March 12th, as well as additional information about the Chili Cook-Off, which is happening this Sunday!

Topics included:

1. Orientation Ride & Potluck Brunch
2. Chili Cook-Off
3. Save the Date
4. Indoor Training Rides
5. Ride SHARE
6. Ride Stats

Click here to visit the eNewsletters section of our website to view this News Bites and previous ones in the archive. While you're at it, don't forget to sign up for our general Moveable Feast eNewsletter, "News Bites from Moveable Feast."

Fairfax's 5 Below to Benefit Team Diet Tribe

After you enjoy several delicious bowls of unique chili at our RFTF Chili Cook-Off 2011 on Sunday, what's the obvious next step?

Visiting the 5 Below in Fairfax, Virginia, of course! 5 Below - where you can find just about anything you need for $5 or less. On Sunday, that might be a big bottle of anti-heartburn medication :-P

From February 27th through March 3rd, the 5 Below in Fairfax will be donating 10% of all sales to Team Diet Tribe.

Simply shop at the 5 Below in Fairfax's Fair City Mall (9600 Main St, Fairfax VA 22031) and present this flier at the register to have your purchase counted.

Check out the rest of our team fundraisers at the Ride For The Feast homepage - Team Fundraisers.

"Gearing Up For Fundraising"

Hey Riders! You should have received our latest "News Bites, Ride Edition" which went out on February 9th.

It featured tips about starting or improving your team/individual fundraisers! Remember, each Rider commits to raising $1,300 for Ride For The Feast - the cost to feed an individual client for an entire year. In fact, in March, each Rider will be linked to an actual client of Moveable Feast. You'll get to hear a bit of their stories, which will help you make your fundraising endeavors and your overall journey more successful and memorable.

Topics included:
1. Team Fundraising
2. Individual Fundraising
3. Bike Shops
4. Current Fundraisers
5. Save the Date
6. RFTF Chili Cook-Off
7. Indoor Training Rides
8. Ride SHARE
9. Ride Stats

Click here to visit the eNewsletters section of our website. While you're at it, don't forget to sign up for our general Moveable Feast eNewsletter, "News Bites from Moveable Feast."

Moveable Feets Dance Party

Boogie for a cause on Saturday, March 12th, at Moveable Feets, a dance party fundraiser for Team BikeCurious in the Ride For the Feast, the annual fund drive for Moveable Feast. All the details follow -- see you at the Metro Gallery!!

Sat. March 12
Moveable Feets Dance Party
Fundraiser for Moveable Feast

Metro Gallery
1700 N. Charles St, Baltimore
8pm, $12-20 suggested donation

Music: Swingin Swamis’, The Firecrackers, The Degenerettes, & DJ John Eaton

Dance contest celebrity judges:
Laure Drogoul, Sculptor, artist and cultural provocateur supreme
Bret McCabe, Baltimore City Paper Arts Editor
Flo Shizzle, Junkyard Dolls/Charm City Roller Girls bruiser

Dance party & unconventional dance contest including categories like Most Disaffected Observer, Most Disgustingly Cute Couple, and Most Inventive Dance Move with celebrity judges (who you are encouraged to bribe…for a good cause), sparkly outfits, live music and more! Support Team BikeCurious who will Ride for the Feast-- 140 miles in 2 days for 1 awesome organization that has been providing sound, nutritious meals for Marylanders with HIV, AIDS and breast cancer for over 20 years.

Check out the video from last year's Moveable Feets:



Ride for the Feast is an unforgettable journey where ordinary people achieve extraordinary things. A 2-day, 140-mile bike ride from Ocean City to Baltimore City that raises funds and awareness of our families, friends and neighbors across the state who live in poverty with HIV/AIDS or breast cancer.

The Swingin' Swamis
www.TheSwinginSwamis.com
The Swingin' Swamis perform an eclectic set of jazz and world rhythms. From 1930's jazz to 1970's funk and everything in between, it is the band's goal to present to listeners a wide range of popular as well as lesser-known music. Noteworthy performances include: The Kennedy Center, MusikFest 2005, Artscape 2004 & 2005, The Ram's Head Live (opening for The B-52's), The Baltimore Museum of Art, and The Maryland Film Festival.

The Degenerettes
www.Degenerettes.com
The Degenerettes are a queer art rock power trio from Baltimore, MD. The Degenerettes' bass-driven jangly fuzz guitar sounds combine with Rahne Alexander’s literary, often humorous songwriting, creating multiple narrative universes—from torrid mummy love affairs to teenybopper spies to Baltimore streets. They are the soundtrack of the Velvet Underground and the Runaways on a big gay double date at a midnight movie.

The Firecrackers
www.InsubordinationRecords.com
The brainchild of Pat Termite, inspired by 60's girl-groups, The Firecrackers' original songs combine haunting vocals, rich harmonies, and sugary melodies with stomp and shout rhythms. Their next record is due out this year on Hit Factor, Pat's imprint label of Insubordination Records.

DJ John Eaton
DJ John Eaton is a familiar fixture in the Baltimore underground for his memorable performances in Collinsport, the Shattered Wig, the Transmodern Festival and more. Drawing from his vast vinyl collection and from record labels around the world, Eaton pushes past Reagan Youth nostalgia, presenting hidden treasures alongside old favorites. Best of all, he takes requests.

Chili Cook-Off 2011!

What is your favorite topping for chili?

We're thinking a big scoop of....fundraising!!

The Ride for the Feast Chili Cook-Off will be held on Sunday, February 27th, 2011 from 1:00PM to 3:30PM at the Moveable Feast kitchens.

Riders and Crewmembers, this is a fantastic opportunity to jumpstart your fundraising efforts this year. We highly encourage you to sign up. Please visit the fundraisers page on the Ride for the Feast website for the sign-up sheet.

TEAMS >> Rider Teams will work together, including any Crew associated with that team. Riders and Crew not associated with any Rider Teams, feel free to form your own teams for this event.

PREP >> Come up with a funky, unique chili recipe. Make enough to feed 100-150 people, and bring some extra snacks and beverages. And invite as many friends, family, and other guests as possible! This is YOUR fundraiser, so YOU have to make it happen!

TICKETS >> Tickets will be sold at the door for $15. Raffle tickets will be sold at the door for $5 or inside for $7 apiece. Kids twelve and under are free.

WINNERS >> There will be two winners chosen. One will be chosen by a panel of judges appointed by Moveable Feast and the Ride Committee. The other will be chosen by popular opinion of the guests!

THE FINE PRINT >> The sign-up deadline is Friday, February 11th, 2011. All forms must be sent to Amanda Fisher (afisher@mfeast.org). Each competing team MUST provide 3 volunteers on the day of the event to assist with hosting and clean-up. Space will be limited so plan accordingly. No judge bribes will be used this year. No food or beverage bribes for guests will be allowed. For more information, check out RFTF Committee Chair Pete Castro's email to Riders and Crew.

Team Atomic Tapas & Sangria Recap

Last month, Team Atomic hosted a very successful Spanish Tapas & Sangria Fundraiser. RFTF volunteer and co-host of the event, Diana Giglio, provides a recap from her point of view.

Friday 1/14 – Buy remaining food for menu. Cook and chop, skewer things and peel shrimp. Lots of them. Sleep at 1:00 AM, contentedly.

Sat 1/15 – Rise early. Husband rises even earlier, cooks most of the menu and picks up restaurant door prize donation (Thank you, Carrol’s Creek in Annapolis!) Pack up car, feeling pretty organized.

1:44 PM – Email Shaun and Sheila, co-hosts (and willing-sharer of the most awesome house ever), we’re running late.

2:30 PM – Arrive at house. Ring doorbell. No one answers, wonder if co-hosts are out, and then laugh when after calling Shaun says “well…just COME IN!” Teamwork, unpacking cars.

3:01 PM – Call Becky. Need ice.

3:10 PM – Call Lisa. Need more ice.

4:00 PM – Football fans arrive. Who cares about Tapas, game’s coming on!

Becky, Lisa, Jules and Co. join…set up for Team Atomic calendar sales and bring Sangria!

Kitchen busy (thanks, Martha from Café Boheme!, the Callahan family and others).

5:30 PM - Food on. Marion like a fish in water, ready to feed 60, no sweat.

Event progresses!

Event supporters, friends and family arrive. Non-football fans scavenger hunt, trivia’s ready but we never get to it. Too much fun meeting new people, eating and watching the game, playing basketball even in high heels. (Yes, there’s a bedroom converted into a basketball court and you find you just can’t help yourself...).

Game half-time: football fans eat. Jules gives lovely thank you to our guests and lets them know just how their donations will be used by Moveable Feast. Somewhere in it all, game half-time or game over, we count out the raffle tickets and award a festive Sangria-basket and prizes. Before the night is over, live keyboard music, maybe even drums and singing starts…a future Luau fun-raising event idea forms.

Some folks think about joining for the 140 mile ride – yes!

9:00 PM – Confirmed, every drop of Sangria - 5 apparently yummy varieties – gone. People have discovered there’s a new beverage that goes along with football!

Kitchen cleanup: teamwork is a beautiful thing.

Becky announces the best news ever: we have together raised $1,500!! 

Even people who could not attend send contributions with friends, THANK YOU.

Yep, community fun-raising. AWESOME!

Congratulations to Team Atomic on a fantastic event! Special thanks to the hosts Marion Penn, Diana Giglio, & Shaun, Sheila, and Jack Callahan.

It's not too late to order your 2011 Team Atomic calendar--still eleven full months of hotness left in the year! Get yours at www.teamatomic.org.