Tips
Prepare in Advance
- Choose a date that you know will get the maximum attendance.
- Consider asking a few friends or colleagues to help you plan. You can even list them as part of the "host committee" on the invitation.
- Send invitations at least 3 weeks in advance and ask for an RSVP. If you prefer to send your invitation by email as an evite go to www.supportivehousingofwaterloo.org to receive materials electronically.
Be Creative
- The event doesn't have to be a dinner; it can be a brunch, wine tasting reception, fondue party, tea party, bbq, Canada Day picnic, birthday party etc.
- the event can be in your home, at your work place, at a restaurant, at your church or any other community venue.
Generate Turn-Out
- A week or two before the event, call people you haven't heard from and encourage them to attend.
- A few days before the event, call those who have said they will come to remind them of the date and time and to make sure they have directions.
Provide Information
- Make available to your guests the Supportive Housing of Waterloo information that is included in your package/or download from the website.
- If you know someone who volunteers at an Out of the Cold site, invite them to come and speak to your guests about the program and the homeless people who use it during the winter months.
Raising the Money
- Set a fundraising goal and don't be afraid to ask for money. People will appreciate your appeal for a good cause!
- You can either set the contribution amount in advance, or suggest that your guests make a donation of their choice. Leaving a basket by the door also works well.
- Keep in mind that some people may be invited to numerous "Feast from the Heart"
Encourage Others
- Encourage your guests to host their own "Feast from the Heart" event - this is a great way to spread the word about the Supportive Housing of Waterloo campaign and to raise funds in a truly community-minded way.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a "Feast from the Heart"?
Feast from the Heart is an initiative of the SHOW You Care campaign to raise funds and awareness for Supportive Housing of Waterloo. Individuals throughout the community are asked to host their own fundraising food/meal related event between April 8 and September 1, 2009
How Does it Work?
Dinner hosts should contact the SHOW You Care campaign office to receive their "Host Kits" information package, or visit the website to download materials. The Host Kit will contain as many invitations and envelopes as needed for the number of guests hosts are expecting (postage not included), information on the Supportive Housing of Waterloo project, party planning tips, FAQs and donation sheets for the collection and recording of guests' donations. If a host prefers to send e-vites, information and graphics can be downloaded from the SHOW website. Hosts are welcome to use or create their own invitations if they wish.
Dinner hosts invite their guests to a fundraising event organized and hosted by themselves in their own homes or at a venue in the community (ie gathering at a restaurant, church hall, work place etc.). Hosts can either set their own contribution rate or request that their guests donate an amount of their choice.
A Feast from the Heart can take any form that the dinner host wishes. Some ideas include brunch, lunch, dinner, coffee or cocktail party, birthday celebration, summer barbeque at the cottage, picnic - anything that brings people together who want to contribute to providing a better future for Waterloo Region's homeless. Hosts can be as creative or traditional as they choose. At the end of their Feast, hosts will collect and record the donations from their guests and submit to the SHOW campaign office. Any single contribution of $10 or over will be eligible for a charitable tax receipt.
Who Can Participate in Feast from the Heart?
Anyone! We encourage everyone in our community to host their own Feast from the Heart. Families, school children, dignitaries and politicians, restaurant owners and business owners, individuals, neighbourhood associations, service clubs, church groups, arts groups, multi-cultural groups, community based organizations.
How are the Funds Raised from Feast from the Heart Used?
All funds raised through any Feast from the Heart event will go toward the $1 million SHOW You Care campaign to build a 30 unit apartment building to house individuals who currently use the Out of the Cold program in Kitchener-Waterloo.
