Raleigh Food Bank Summer Stock Social Media Mixer, Charity, and Paying It Forward

Last night, I went to the Summer Stock Social Media Mixer at the Food Bank in Raleigh. The event was sponsored by the wonderful TweetDivas, who made the event a smashing success. Unfortunately, it happened to be scheduled on the same night as the Triangle Tweetup event for June, so there weren't quite as many people there as I thought should have been.

Regardless, it was a great event - tasty appetizers, fun people, and a raffle, with all proceeds going to the food bank. More on that in a moment.

What I Learned

I learned a lot of things last night. On a tour of the food bank facility, I found out just how many people are struggling with hunger in the local area, and how many people are involved in assisting the food bank and its agencies to alleviate that hunger. 34 NC counties are served by the food bank in some capacity, including ministries, outreach programs, rescue missions, and options for needy seniors in our community.

I met several of the volunteers, who started their work with the food bank for a variety of charitable and not-so-charitable reasons (mandatory community service was mentioned). What a dedicated, passionate group they are. As someone who has done thousands of hours of volunteer work myself (Radio for the Blind, local theatre groups, animal shelters, you name it) it did my heart good to see how happy these folks were to be making a difference in their community.

At 8 PM, the crowd gathered around a makeshift stage (made from pallets - how awesome is that?) to hear the announcements for the raffle drawings. Among the prizes were signed books by local authors, lovely jewelry, some Carolina Hurricanes memorabilia, a weekend stay at a gorgeous cabin near Boone, a cool wooden marble slide toy, a movie night package from Regal, and 10 prepaid cell phones donated by Best Buy. I donated $20, which got me 40 tickets. That's a lot, considering all the prizes available. I played the odds and put a bunch in for the cell phones, as there were 10 to be given away. I also put a few in for one of the children's books (my sister is having her first child today or tomorrow) and of course that cabin stay.

Several of the volunteers won prizes, which I thought was a great reward for them. One volunteer, Sterlina, won the mountain cabin stay (jealous!). Then Jen moved on to the phones... at the end of the night, I had won 5 of the 10! Plus the children's book for my sister's baby.

I felt rather awkward - I mean, who needs 5 cell phones? Then, one of the kids there came up and offered me a dollar for a phone. I gladly handed one over and told him to keep the dollar. Then, I learned that Shirley, from the food bank's member agency Praise Worship Tabernacle, had broken her phone just a few days prior. I spoke with her briefly and she went home with a phone, too.


The Loot - minus the two phones I gave away.

It was an amazing thing, to be able to help someone out with so little effort. And really, that is what volunteering - and community - are all about. Giving a little of yourself for the good of others. I think 2 of the other phones are going to go to charitable organizations - they need them more than I do.

People I want to give a shout out to for making the night so great:
@CharityJen
@LisaSullivan
@CarterHCrain
@NCStateFair
@FoodBankCENC

I'm sure I am missing people... if I am, please @ me or DM me on Twitter, so I can apologize and add you!

Thanks for a terrific night.