By Rose Tantraphol
May 3, 2012
Those who know me well know I love to eat. When I set up lunch meetings with clients, a restaurant’s location (for scheduling purposes) has to be the first consideration, but the menu is a close second. I was born in New Orleans, where people joke that locals start thinking about the next meal before they’re done with the current one.
I’m a pretty adventurous eater, and if I could include “sampling” as a hobby, I probably would. Not surprisingly, I’m looking forward to seeing what local restaurants have come up with this year for the Empty Plate Dinner, which takes place a week from today. Last year’s strolling dinner was absolutely delectable, and I know it will be the same this year, with restaurants including Dusty’s Cellar, Christie’s Bistro and Tavern on the Square participating.
I’m looking forward to the event for a much bigger reason as well. As a Greater Lansing Food Bank board member, I know that the Empty Plate Dinner is the food bank’s major fundraiser. Now in its sixth year, the Empty Plate Dinner, which also features excellent silent and live auctions, has become one of the area’s premiere events. Individuals and businesses, including Martin Waymire Advocacy Communications, help make this event a reality by becoming sponsors.
Every dollar raised by the Greater Lansing Food Bank’s Empty Plate Dinner is reinvested in the purchase and distribution of food to the people of this region — at no cost. There are so many people in our community, young and old, who might otherwise go hungry were it not for the generosity of the people and businesses of mid-Michigan who support fundraisers like this one.
So as I enthusiastically fill my plate that evening, I will certainly think about everyone in this area whose plates remain empty.
The Greater Lansing Food Bank’s Empty Plate Dinner takes place Thursday, May 10 from 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the at the Spartan Club on the 4th floor of Spartan Stadium. If you’re interested in attending, you can purchase tickets online.
Rose Tantraphol is a senior account executive at Martin Waymire Advocacy Communications.
(Image credit: Courtesy of the Greater Lansing Food Bank)
