Grocery Outlet’s “Independence From Hunger” Campaign

Posted on July 14, 2014 by Jamie

Disclosure: I occasionally work with Grocery Outlet to promote GREAT deals, and promotions happening at their stores.

grocery-outlet

For the fourth consecutive year, the USDA reported that 1 in every 6 Americans is food insecure and 46.5 million Americans (15%) were reported as living at or below the poverty level in 2012 (U.S. Census Bureau, Income, Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage in the U.S. Data collected in 2012 and released September, 2013.)

Throughout July, traditionally a time when food agencies experience the greatest need, San Francisco area Grocery Outlets will encourage their customers and employees to donate food and cash in support of regional food assistance agencies.

Every Grocery Outlet in the Bay Area has chosen a local agency to assist with.

Independence from Hunger

Independence from Hunger® is a month long, company wide campaign where customers can donate food and/or cash to support local food assistance partners.

How can customers help?

*Look For Specialty Marked Food Items:

These are items that each designated food agency has compiled as “high need” items.  Purchase these products and place in the collection bins at the front of the store.

*Pick Up a Pre-Made Bag:

These pre-made bags are filled with items that are needed at each agency.  Purchase a pre-made bag and place in the collection bin located near the front of the store.

Hunger Bags

*Tell Your Cashier You’d Like to Make a Cash Donation:

Each cashier has the ability to give a donation to the food agency for the store.  You can give in increments of 1, 5 or Round Up to the Nearest Dollar at each check out.

*Pick Up Information at a Bay Area Grocery Outlet:

Brochures will be available with information about food hunger, and insecurities at area Grocery Outlets.  Be informed.

*Join the Events:

Various Events will be taking place at Bay Area Grocery Outlets to help with the food drive.  Join in.

Bay Area Grocery Outlets and their Food Agency Partners:

Novato:    Marin County Food Bank, Christ Church North Bay

Vistacion Valley: Red Cross

Palo Alto: InnVision Shelter Network

Geary: The Food Security Collective

Pinole: Food Bank of Contra Costra and Solano

So far, Grocery Outlet has raised over 6 figures in just the first week of this campaign, but we must keep the momentum going.  I know I will be in shopping to help out this cause, one that is near and dear to me.

Grocery-Outlet-Food-Drive

 

 

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Categories: Campaigns, Northern California | Tags: , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A film for your #Foodie Heart: The Hundred-Foot Journey #100FootJourney

Posted on July 13, 2014 by Jamie

It’s not often enough that there’s a movie that comes out dedicated to the foodies of the world.

And, this feature film of The Hundred-Foot Journey, will have us craving an amazing meal afterwards. 

In DreamWorks Pictures’ “The Hundred-Foot Journey,” the opening of a new Indian restaurant in the south of France next to a famous Michelin-starred eatery is nearly cause for a heated battle between the two establishments, until Le Saule Pleureur’s icy proprietress, Madame Mallory, recognizes her rival’s undeniable brilliance for preparing masterful meals.

I mean, really, look at some of these brilliant recipes brought on by the film:

Creme-Brulee-Recipe

Need more?

Pastry-Tarts

And of course, if you need something to wash down these beautiful desserts:

Sparkling-Lemonande-Recipe

And if these recipes don’t grab you enough to see the film, what about the chance to win a trip to the South of France?

Hundred-Foot-Journey

Also, make sure you head on over to THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY Facebook page (http://facebook.com/100footjourneymovie ) to enter the #My100FootJourneySweeps for a chance to win a trip for 2 to the south of France!

The Hundred-Foot Jounrey comes to theaters August 8th, 2014.  Keep an eye out for a review on opening day.

 


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Perfect Getaway: Catalina Island

Posted on July 12, 2014 by Jamie

Disclosure: I occasionally work with Catalina Island to cover things happening on the island, and of course, how to get there through Catalina Express. Post may include affiliate links. 

Catalina Island

Needless to say, I still have very fond memories of my time spent on the beautiful Catalina Island.  Being so close to Los Angeles, but with a 22 mile trek over water, this island, to me, was complete paradise.  And a huge reason why it was such a perfect getaway.

Catalina Express always made it such an easy ride over to the Island, taking off from San Pedro, Long Beach, and Dana Point.  You could even do same day treks to spend time on the Island.

This year, Catalina Express is still offering their “Ride Free on Your Birthday” making for a great birthday celebration, I must say.   Be sure not to miss out on all the birthday specials when planning out your big day.

Some fun events happening on the island this summer include:

JULY 2014

 Thru 9/28   Chaplin and Goddard: A Secret Love Affair Exhibit at the Catalina Island Museum See June listing. Catalina Island Museum, 310-510-2414, www.catalinaislandmuseum.org

 

Thru-8/28   Summer Beach Bingo (each Tuesday & Thursday)   See June listing. City of Avalon Recreation Department. 310-510-1987, www.CityofAvalon.com and Catalina Kid Ventures, 310-510-1704.

 

Thru-8/27   Kid’s Fishing Derby (each Wednesday) 

Meet at the Green Pier at 7am. City of Avalon Recreation Department. 310-510-1987, www.CityofAvalon.com

 

Thru-9/1   Scavenger Hunt, Urban Adventure Quest Challenge

Part game, part tour, solve clues and challenges around Avalon, and be entered into a team competition for a free Quest awarded each month. Free Quest can be used in any of 25 Quest cities. Team size is 2 to 5 people. You MUST use promo code: CATCHALLENGE to be entered into the competition and to receive 15% off. Good for the Catalina walking tour only. Must have a smart phone to play. Sign up to play online at: www.UrbanAdventureQuest.com

Catalina-Island

7/19  FREE Family Friendly Concert on Wrigley Plaza Stage: Xceptional Blues Featuring Billy Thompson
The Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce and Xceptional Music Company are pleased to present this free, family friendly Summer Concert Series, next to the Bay on Wrigley Plaza Stage.  Concerts are from 8:00pm to 10:00pm. A Beer & Wine Garden will be available at all concerts.

7/19   1st Annual Gold Star Dive

Scuba divers search for gold stars in Casino Point Underwater Park. This event is a fundraiser for the LA County Sheriff’s Community Programs and the Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber. ASCSA Avalon Station Community Services Association. 310-510-0174

 

AUGUST 2014

 

Thru 9/28   Chaplin and Goddard: A Secret Love Affair Exhibit at the Catalina Island Museum See June listing. Catalina Island Museum, 310-510-2414, www.catalinaislandmuseum.org

 

Thru-8/27   Kid’s Fishing Derby (each Wednesday) 

Meet at the Green Pier at 7am. City of Avalon Recreation Department. 310-510-1987, www.CityofAvalon.com
Thru-8/28   Summer Beach Bingo (each Tuesday & Thursday)  

See June listing. City of Avalon Recreation Department. 310-510-1987, www.CityofAvalon.com and Catalina Kid Ventures, 310-510-1704.

 

Thru-9/1   Urban Adventure Quest Summer Challenge – see June for full description
See July for full description. www.UrbanAdventureQuest.com

 

8/2, 8/16, 8/23, 8/31  FREE Family Friendly Concerts on Wrigley Plaza Stage (8/2, Tribute to Eric Clapton; 8/16, Roadhouse Rock; 8/23, Video Generation; 8/31, Sirens Top 40 and More)
The Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce and Xceptional Music Company are pleased to present this free, family friendly Summer Concert Series, next to the Bay on Wrigley Plaza Stage.  Concerts are from 8:00pm to 10:00pm. A Beer & Wine Garden will be available at all concerts.

 

8/13   Catalina Film Society, (2nd Wednesday, every other month)
An opportunity for film enthusiasts to enjoy, discuss and celebrate brand new unreleased independent films on a monthly basis. Suggested donation of $10 for non-members, or become a member and support the effort to celebrate and educate the art of independent films. 818-787-1946, www.CatalinaFF.org

Catalina

September 2014


Thru-9/1   Urban Adventure Quest Summer Challenge – see June for full description
See July for full description. www.UrbanAdventureQuest.com


Thru 9/28   Chaplin and Goddard: A Secret Love Affair Exhibit at the Catalina Island Museum
See June listing. Catalina Island Museum, 310-510-2414, www.catalinaislandmuseum.org

 

 

9/13   Catalina Island Women’s Forum Wine Festival

This 19th annual fundraiser features over 80 wineries, delectable hors d’oeuvres and smooth jazz. Net proceeds help support mentoring and scholarship programs. Tickets available at the Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce. 310 510-1520, www.theciwf.org


9/24-9/28   Catalina Film Festival
Annual celebration of Catalina’s rich film history features approximately 100 films screened at multiple venues around the island plus nightly events and entertainment. The festival is competitive with awards in up to 10 categories, including our festival partners’ prestigious awards; the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation’s “Great Communicator” Award, the Chaplin Family’s Charlie Chaplin ICON Award, and the ISLA Earth Award – an honor presented by the Festival’s beneficiary, the Catalina Island Conservancy. Catalina Film Festival. 818-787-1946, www.CatalinaFilm.org

9/19-9/21   56th Annual Catalina Festival of Art

Longest running annual event on Catalina Island. Artists from all over the country exhibit along Crescent Avenue and sell their works of fine art, sculpture, fine crafts & photography. Highlights include charity art auction and kids art show. Catalina Art Association. 310-510-2788, www.catalinaartassociation.org

9/27   National Museum Day
Discover Avalon’s sole institution dedicated to art, culture and the history of Santa Catalina Island with FREE admission to the Catalina Island Museum in celebration of National Museum Day. Open from 10am to 5pm. Catalina Island Museum. 310-510-2414, www.catalinamuseum.org

Do you have summer plans to get there?

 



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