Friday, after 1am, I received a text that said OMG Japan! It woke me, which is unusual. I had two thoughts. I wondered if my friend was going to go to Japan, and then I thought something terrible may have happened, but I fell asleep again thinking Leila was going to Kyoto to see temples. About an hour later, my husband, who runs security teams for several national parks sites, received a phone call. He had to tell his guys at Alcatraz and Hyde Street Pier to take high ground; there was a tsunami warning.
I immediately went to my computer and my heart sank upon reading about the earthquake and subsequent tsunami. As the news came in, I read the live blogs and listed to NPR. This was one time I actually missed having a television.
I am not, surprise surprise, a full time food writer. My day job is pretty great, though. I am a web designer and I work for a company called Care2. We work, exclusively, with progressive nonprofits. I like to say I’m saving the world one pixel at a time. Right now, though, I’m suffering from a pretty serious back injury and in a effort to avoid back surgery, I finally took my doctor’s advice and took some time off of work. So, my saving the world fix, is not being met. Friday, during acupuncture, I was thinking of ways I might be able to help. Inspired by a bake sale I participated in some months back, the idea for an online bake sale came to me.
I sprang into action and immediately some of my amazing food blogger friends jumped right in to help. Irvin Lin from Eat the Love couldn’t be more supportive. Sometimes I think his blog should be called Live the Love and Marc from No Recipes, Kimmie from Full Circle Adventures, Mary from The Gluten Freed Gourmet, Linda from Salty Seattle all emailed me within minutes! Since then the emails have been pouring in!
The auction will take place on March 30, 2011. You will be able to preview the goodies starting a few days before- just like a good silent auction. All proceeds will go to a 501c3 nonprofit doing work specifically in Miyagi Prefecture where the damage is greatest. I will announce the nonprofit in the coming days. Right now it is looking like I will choose The American Red Cross or Doctors Without Borders/Medicins Sans Frontiers. My goal is $2,500.
The money will be donated to Second Harvest Japan. This is a food bank that many are familiar with. They are working on the ground, right now in Japan to respond to the immediate needs of people displaced by this disaster.
If you know of any food bloggers who would like to participate in this bake sale, please send them my way. Also, I am looking for corporations to match any part of the money earned to help Japan.
Thank you so very much.
Sabrina Modelle
The Tomato Tart
What is the process? I would love join in.
Please advise.
Thanks!
Pam http://ForesterFeasts.blogspot.com
Please drop me an email. I would be so happy to have you on board.
bakesale {at} the tomato tart {dot} {com}
What can I do?
Hey Sabrina, I emailed you as well, you can count me in, just let me know how we are doing this…
Thanks so much! I don't know if I got your email. I will double check but just in case, if you don't hear from me, Ilke, it's bakesale {at} the tomato tart {dot} {com}
Woot! It's all coming together! I got pretty excited reading this tonight – can't wait to bake my demo items! =)
Kimmie,
You’re just a love. I’m so happy you’ve joined- (as if I had any doubt). You couldn’t be sweeter. I really want to make a point to see you soon. Let’s put a date on the calender.
X
Sabrina
If you wanted to tie in with local Japanese organizations in the SF Bay Area, there are two reputable ones with 501c3 status that have set up Japan earthquake & tsunami relief funds.
JCCCNC (Japanese Cultural & Community Center of Northern California, located in SF Japantown): http://jcccnc.org or http://www.causes.com/causes/590211-northern-japa… They're directly funding relief efforts, using their experience & J organization ties from the Kobe earthquake.
Japan Society of Northern California: http://www.usajapan.org/ or http://give2asia.org/japansociety
Thank you so much, Biggie. I am off to contact them right away.
Warmly
Sabrina
I'm spreading the word!
Sabrina, I've been trying to email you, but I get the "could not send or save mail because of an illegal address" message (I've tried several times). I know I did not misspell anything (I had my OH check for me, just in case:-)), but it doesn't work anyway. Is there another way I could contact you?
Thank you,
Brooke
I'd love to help. I just sent you an e-mail.
I look forward to seeing and bidding on some great baked goods. Best of luck, Sabrina!
this would be something that would be great for my school to get involved in…
I teach in a culinary school baking and pastry arts
Frances
frances.burnett@jwu.edu
count me in Sabrina! I am looking forward to helping!
I was planning on hold a blog bake sale as well..the name of the nonprofit I have raised money for in the past is Direct Relief International and I plan to donate to them again. I love this organization because more than 99% of the proceeds go the those in need because of the low administrative costs.
Chelsey,
You are welcome to join this one as well- please let me know about yours. Loved your blog by the way.
Warmly
Sabrina
I am so sad to be traveling for this. What a powerful thing to do. You're such a kind soul!
You know I’d love to have you, too, CM, but I know you’ll be with us in spirit. Thank you for saying such kind things.
Have a very safe trip.
X
Sabrina
Sent you an email. I'd love to join!
Hi Sabrina, I sent you an email, I would love to help. Please tell me what you need, thanks so much for organizing!
Martha
I just sent you and e-mail regarding this event, followed by an e-mail sent to the best bloggers/foodies I know. Please, anything I can do to help your event. 🙂 Thank you for this opportunity.____Sincerely,____SunnyB
Hey this is awesome Sabrina. Do you still need people to participate. I wold love to help if you do. Let me know. Thanks Liisa
Hi, I just visited your blog for the first time after hearing about the auction tomorrow. I definitely want to bid, but am not clear on how that works. Do I need to register ahead of time?
Thanks!