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There are three food venues for the BlogHer gatherings in Chicago, and all three have agreed to donate any leftovers that we have from meal or snack functions. The bulk of our donated leftovers will go to The Pacific Gardens Rescue Mission, a well-respected charity that feeds over 2,400 people a day and runs two shelters in town -- one for men and one for women and children. Pacific Gardens has been feeding, clothing and housing the poor since the late 1800's. Every organization we approached praised this organization for their work.
Many people assume that leftovers will always be distributed from large functions, but that is not always the case.
Some states or cities have regulations that make it complex. Some states require that the sponsoring conference sign an official document allowing the donation. Some venues require that legal waivers be signed by the donating conference leadership. Some charities will only take packaged goods as they do not wish to risk spoilage. Some require advance notice about exactly how much leftovers will be available, oddly enough. And some kitchens will not allow pickup of leftovers except during specific limited times. Some kitchens want the donor to set everything up, some want to just have a contact name and will handle it themselves. Some want a person attending the conference to be actively involved, others do not. Some charities require closed containers, some will be fine with foil coverings.
If you are sponsoring an event, it is easiest to arrange this in advance, or even to make leftover donation a requirement of the deal. It is always worth checking, even if you are only attending a large event, to see if the conference sponsors have made plans for the redistribution of leftovers.
Often this is a detail that even the best folks just forget.
Small gatherings of 25-50 people can also produce a good harvest of leftovers. So, please keep this in mind for your business meetings and conferences outside of BlogHer.
And it is so EASY!!!!!
Once you know that there are variables, it is easy to set up a donation.
THE INTRODUCTION
First, call the meal producer (hotel, catering service, whatever). Ask to speak to the catering director.
THE RELATIONSHIP
Second, explain which organization you represent, indicate the dates of your meals and state that you would like to ask their help in getting a plan organized to donate leftovers. Remember, you are an outsider in their well-organized kitchen. Your job is to make doing something extra easy for them.
THE CHARITY
Third, the director may already have a list of organizations to which they have donated, or may want you to find one. Ask if they have any that they can recommend or with whom they enjoy working. It may be that if you are with a group that is focusing on children, that you would like an organization to give to that also focuses on children. While you can and should ask, it is most likely that a general charity is what you will use. Just remember, a hungry person is a hungry person. Everyone needs your good will.
THE OPERATIONAL DETAILS ON THE DONATING SIDE
Fourth, find out the details of what the venue will require from you and the charity to make this happen. Items can include documentation, agreements in writing, specified pick up times, contact people on site, information re contact people at the charity. Does the venue want to handle the set up of the donation between themselves and the charity, or do they want you to be the go-between? Does the charity need to have a pickup service? Essentially, think through each step of the donating process, and check it out in advance with a question.
THE CHARITY
Fifth, if the venue requires you to locate your own charity and you do not know the city well enough, call any charity and they will know to whom you should speak -- Salvation Army, Lutheran Social Services, Catholic Charities, any large church or synagogue, anything listed in the telephone book as a "Food Bank". While most of these folks cannot accept unpackaged goods, they all will know someone who can. Make a couple of phone calls. When you hear a name a few times, you know you have a respected organization. (Everyone we talked to in Chicago knew and respected Pacific Gardens).
THE OPERATIONAL DETAILS ON THE CHARITY SIDE
Now that you know what the donating side needs, find out if the charity can provide it. Troubleshoot in advance and help each side have
