Capital Area Food Bank » Jana Robinson

Denim, Dining & Dancing ~ Recipe for Success!

Jana Robinson — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 12:02:33 +0000

If you were not at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in your denim on March 28th for the 7^th Annual Blue Jeans Ball – you missed a tasty event! The ball was in a new location this year and I think it worked in our favor! The guests seemed to enjoy the savory dishes, stand out cake designs and creatively packaged auction items. The theme that carried through the evening was our 30^th Anniversary. This was definitely a special night for the food bank!

Savory smells filled the room from top restaurants like Central Michel Richard, PS 7s, Eatonville and Ris. The favorites of the night were definitely the lamb chops from Goodstone Inn, burgers from the Marriott Wardman Park and cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcake. A long time supporter and donor of the food bank, The Best Cookie also had great time as guests flocked to her table to sample her delicious cookies! We had a little something for everyone. The talk of the night was also the “Parade of Cakes” challenge, which was a museum like display of unique dessert designs from chefs like Michel Richard, Josh Short from Buzz Bakery and Heather Mackey from the Marriott. All the cakes were great, but there could only be one winner. Barton Farnsworth from Cake FX, who created a “Most Wanted” cake design which was inspired by the food bank’s Most Wanted Items list, took home the honors.

Other highlights of the evening were the “30 baskets for 30 years” displayed during the Silent Auction, which were created in honor of our 30^th Anniversary. BJ Jennings, professional auctioneer, also brought a lively touch to the event exciting guests to bid, bid and bid some more! We raised over $50,000 on the Silent and Live auction!

This year’s Blue Jeans Ball was definitely our most successful event – breaking records with an income of $217,000. Guests came in their favorite jeans, sampled delicious foods while supporting the Capital Area Food Bank. It was a memorable night for sure!

Eat.Drink.Dance…Change Lives

Jana Robinson — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:02:00 +0000

Chances are if you have been in the D.C. area for a while, then you’ve probably attended at least one black tie affair. But have you ever been to a ball where you can throw on your favorite pair of jeans and still get the experience of a formal event? Whether it’s your Seven’s or your Levi’s, the Capital Area Food Bank’s Blue Jeans Ball provides the opportunity to wear jeans, eat delicious food from the areas top restaurants and support a great cause at the same time.

This year, we have the support of talented chef co-chairs Michel Richard, Peter Smith, Christopher Willis, David Guas and 30 additional restaurants who will serve up their signature dishes at the Marriott Wardman Park. In a span of three hours you can experience some of D.C.’s favorite restaurants without traveling far. B Smith’s, Occidental Grill & Seafood, Jackson 20, Eatonville, PS 7’s, Black’s Bar & Kitchen, Bezu, Farmers & Fishers along with many other restaurants will be involved.

We are trying something new this year – not only are we highlighting delicious foods, but we are inviting pastry chefs to create food themed cakes commemorating our 30^th Anniversary. I can’t wait to see the unique and creative designs the chefs cook up! Guests will also be able to vote on their favorite cake and then sample it later. Some of the chefs coming up with sweet creations are Michel Richard, Josh Short, David Guas, among others.

This is the CAFB’s 7^th Blue Jeans Ball and my 4^th year leading the charge as the Special Events Manager; and it has been exciting to see how it’s grown. I believe that people keep coming back because they are experiencing something different than what the other galas offer. Guests can relax, eat delicious food, bid on unique live and silent auction items, and most importantly, support a great cause – the issue of hunger. You can’t beat that!

No need to think about it any further, join us on Sunday, March 28^th at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel! Click here to get your reservation now. Hope to see you there…making a statement in your jeans!

Stuff A Truck 2009

Jana Robinson — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:02:20 +0000

The Capital Area Food Bank is asking everyone to come out and Stuff A Truck this Friday, December 11^th from 6:00 a.m.-11:30 p.m. We know the weather was beautiful last week, but in true Stuff A Truck fashion, the temperature has dropped! But don’t let the cold weather stop you from coming out and donating non-perishable items. Let the cold weather serve as a reminder that there are too many families, children and people that don’t have a warm home , let alone a warm meal to sit down to. Put on your warm coat, bundle up and come out to one of the four participating Giant stores and help your neighbors in need. You might even run into one of your favorite Redskinettes or catch a Doo Wop Cop performing at one of the locations. Tune in to Fox 5 this week to see stories about hunger in our community.

Brentwood Center Giant – Washington, DC

Greenbrier Center Giant – Fairfax, VA

Montrose Crossing Giant – Rockville, MD

PG Plaza Giant – Hyattsville, MD

If you are unable to make it – have no fear, you may donate at capitalareafoodbank.org or call in to the phone bank at Fox 5 at 202-895-3307.

And we cannot forget our generous sponsors Giant, Fox 5, CBS Radio, YRCI and the Washington Post because without them Stuff A Truck would not be possible.

We would also like to thank our tent sponsors – A Grand Event Party Rentals, Oxon Hill Rentals, Gaithersburg Party Rentals, A & A Rental Station.