Help Me Help FareStart
...85 days to go...
I have some fun news: I’ve been asked to serve on FareStart’s gala planning committee this year!
If you’ve been following along, you know FareStart as the Seattle organization that provides job training for people experiencing homelessness, preparing them for careers in foodservice. Their annual gala in October raises money which all goes directly toward upskilling students and preparing them for every aspect of a lucrative career in food service. It’s one of the most effective organizations I’ve seen in actually lifting people out of homelessness in Seattle.
A Different Kind of Volunteering
This is a very different type of volunteering than what I’ve been doing all year.
Instead of serving meals, sorting clothes, bagging groceries, building tiny homes, or going tent-to-tent delivering hot chocolate and sleeping bags, I’ll be making phone calls and talking with friends in the Seattle food scene.
It’s different, but it might be even more impactful — the auction needs to raise a significant portion of FareStart’s budget to ensure the organization can serve its target of 400+ people next year.
It’s also a chance to work with some impressive people: not only FareStart’s leadership team, but other volunteers from Amazon, Deloitte, local sports teams, and so on.
One of my big responsibilities is procuring auction items for the live and silent auction. And I’d like to ask your help!
The Ask
If you’re reading this, I’m hoping you might be able to help in one of two ways:
Do you have connections in the food space? Restaurants, chefs, culinary experiences, cooking classes, winery tours, farm-to-table experiences—anything food-related that might work as an auction item. If you’re connected to anyone who might be willing to donate, please let me know.
Do you have good ideas? Even if you can’t help procure items, I’d love your help brainstorming. What kinds of experiences or items would you bid on at a gala supporting job training for people experiencing homelessness? What would get you excited enough to open your wallet?
Past auctions have included things like:
Private chef dinners
Cooking classes with notable Seattle chefs
Wine country getaways
Restaurant gift certificates and tasting menus
Culinary equipment and kitchenware
But I’m open to creative ideas beyond the obvious.
Why This Matters
FareStart changes lives. I’ve done mock interviews with their students and seen firsthand how transformative their program is. These aren’t just cooking classes—they’re providing wraparound support including housing assistance, mental health services, job placement, interview training, and more.
Every dollar raised at this gala means another person gets the skills and support they need to build a sustainable career.
So if you can help—whether by connecting me with potential donors, brainstorming ideas, or even just sharing this post with someone in the Seattle food scene—I’d be incredibly grateful.
You can reach me by commenting below or sending me a direct message.
Thanks for your help!