Dishing Up Maryland Gala on March 5, 2011, Supports Daily Dishing—and Dignity—For People in Need

During Holidays, local bookstores donate to Our Daily Bread Employment Center for each “Dishing Up Maryland” book that is sold

16 Dec 10 12:00 AM CST

On Saturday, March 5, 2011, Our Daily Bread Employment Center (ODBEC) will host its annual fundraising gala, this year themed “Dishing Up Maryland.”  The event features top chefs dishing up creative Maryland specialties and collaboration with Lucie Snodgrass, author of the popular cookbook celebrating distinctive Maryland cuisine, DISHING UP MARYLAND (Storey Publishing).  The tickets are $250.00 with an early bird discount offered to those reserving through the website cc-md.org/dish before January 2, 2011.

Says Mike Connelly, volunteer co-chair of the Dishing Up Maryland Gala, “Catholic Charities has provided meals for the needy every day consecutively since June 1981.  The costs are higher and the needs are greater than ever, so while we commemorate that record, we’ll ensure we can keep it going.”  The event takes place at the Center itself, 725 Fallsway, and will attract over 300 guests enjoying ample cuisine from top chefs and bidding on incredible Maryland-themed deals.

Area bookstores are currently signing up to make donations for each DISHING UP MARYLAND book purchased pre-Christmas.  Each customer will receive a special bookmark letting the recipient know their gift also benefits the needy.  “We’re always thrilled to help with this important gala, but now we can offer our customers the good feeling of knowing their purchase of this wonderful book also benefits a wonderful cause,” says the first participant, Ivy Bookshop owner Darielle Linehan.  In the spirit of the season, Darielle encourages other area bookstores to follow Ivy’s lead.

Tickets can be purchased through the website cc-md.org/dish or by calling 443-986.9027.  Each year, the event generates interest from a growing pool of volunteers, helping with the event, serving and preparing meals for Our Daily Bread and providing professional expertise for the Employment Center.  To learn about volunteer opportunities, please visit cc-md.org/VolunteerODBEC  or call 443.986.9031.  For press inquiries, please call Rod Clark, 410.261.6761 or 443.474.7446 e-mail rclark@cc-md.org.

ABOUT OUR DAILY BREAD EMPLOYMENT CENTER

During FY ‘10, Our Daily Bread, Maryland’s largest food program, served 261,841 meals. On average 717 meals a day were served to the disadvantaged, disabled, and unemployed. The meal is only the beginning. Once in the Center, clients access employment services, housing assistance, recovery support, and more. While statistics alone cannot tell ODBEC’s full story, they do demonstrate its impact. Last year, ODBEC staff helped hundreds of disadvantaged Baltimoreans move from homelessness to homes, from subsistence abuser to benefit recipient and from joblessness to jobs.  In 2010:

·                     441 job placements paying wages over $5 million dollars ($5,116,702)

·                     287 housing placements

·                     243 clients received mainstream benefits such as food stamps and utility assistance valued at $458,719 

Catholic Charities’ ODBEC is a central facility to move people suffering from poverty, hunger, and joblessness to stable employment and ultimately self-sufficiency. The Christopher Place Employment Academy is one of the ODBEC programs that serves formerly homeless men who have lost their way. For 18 months, our residents work on developing new life skills, and preparing to be job ready. Over 500 men have graduated from CPEA since 1995 maintaining employment for over a year.  For more information: Dennis Murphy, 443.986.9027 or dmurphy @cc-md.org

PARTICIPATING CHEFS AND RESTAURANTS FOR “DISHING UP MARYLAND”
19^th Annual ODBEC Dinner and Auction
March 5, 2010 

•                     Chef Nancy Longo, Pierpoint Restaurant

•                     Chef Roddy, Restaurant Sabor

•                     Chef Jay Angle, The Salsa Grille

•                     The Karzai Group, b, a Bistro

•                     The Classic Catering People

•                     Chef John Shields, Gertrude’s Restaurant at the BMA

•                     Faidley’s Seafood -  raw oyster bar

•                     Gourmet Again

•                     Linwood’s Restaurant

•                     Woodberry Kitchen

•                     The Gourmet Girls

•                     The Dogwood Deli

•                     Quarry Lake Fresh Market

More information about Our Daily Bread Employment Center

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