An Autumn Bounty of Opportunity

Time runs away, and I don't get on this blog to tell you about all of things I would like to share! So, here's a quick update on a few things:

1. Friendship Trays, our local "Meals-on-Wheels" program, and Slow Food Charlotte are busy with all kinds of exciting projects and events. Get up-to-date by clicking here. First, Slow Food Charlotte is a finalist for a $20,000 grant from Tom's of Maine. This grant will support Slow Food Charlotte's demonstration garden for Friendship Trays. Visit the Tom's of Maine website and vote daily until October 30. You can also check out the other cool projects in the running (you have 5 votes per day) from around the country.

Second, Friendship Trays and Slow Food Charlotte are hosting an Autumn Garden Party to celebrate their collaboration and the garden. The party will be held next Friday, October 23, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Friendship Trays location in South End (2401 Distribution Street). Tickets are $75 each and can be reserved by emailing friendshiptrays@gmail.com. All proceeds benefit Friendship Trays, Slow Food Charlotte and Community Culinary School of Charlotte.

2. It's time to start thinking about holiday giving (I know! Already!). Just today I was in a meeting with people discussing which nonprofits offer holiday greeting cards (check out Cards That Give for some ideas, or look around locally). Also, A Child's Place here in Charlotte has just announced this year's giving options for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Click here to look at how to help provide a Thanksgiving dinner for a homeless family or how to make a Christmas merrier. More to come on other ideas.

3. Finally, a little shout-out to Johnson C. Smith University, which received a $5.7 million grant from The Duke Endowment. The money will go towards a leadership program for students and staff to work with neighborhood groups and another program for nontraditional students. President Ronald Carter's leadership was cited as one reason for the gift, the largest on record to the university. Read about it in the Charlotte Observer by clicking here. The Duke Endowment funds nonprofits and organizations in the areas of Child Care, Health Care, Higher Education and Rural Church, according to the wishes of James Buchanan Duke.

To Do: Start looking at how you will celebrate your harvest bounty by sharing with others in need.