As we seek ways to keep our fundraising coffers healthy, we are turning first to our members. While some members are facing challenges, ranging from lay-offs to furloughs to salary reductions, other members have been fortunate to weather less impact.
We are asking you – if you are able – to make a donation to our chapter. In the absence of a fund-raising gala, an annual dinner and other events, we ask you to consider a donation in an amount equivalent to what you would have spent had we been able to get together. Would you have bought a new dress, shoes, a hat, a new piece of jewelry? Would you have bid on an auction item, contributed to the wonderful cake walk for your table, or taken a chance on the wine pull? We hope you will think seriously about this and donate a like amount if you are able.
If each of us donates $100 we will reach our $10,000 goal. For those of you in a position to make larger contributions, your dollars will be used to fund our chapter’s coveted grants and scholarships – needed now more than ever.
Donations may be sent to:
The Ladies of Escoffier, Ltd, 516 North Ogden Avenue, #240 Chicago IL 60642-6421
or by logging into our chapter website and clicking the blue “Donate” button at the bottom of the Scholarships page here.
If each of us donates $100 we will reach our $10,000 goal. For those of you in a position to make larger contributions, your dollars will be used to fund our chapter’s coveted grants and scholarships – needed now more than ever.
In the face of so many challenges, our philanthropic mission and vision have not changed. When the Covid-19 pandemic forced shut-downs across so many sectors of the food, beverage and hospitality industries, we assisted our local restaurant community with a one-time $5000 grant to The Lee Initiative, which served free meals to struggling restaurant workers.
On top of this, we found ways to connect, inspire and educate through Zoom events, video cooking lessons for Boys & Girls Clubs members on our new YouTube channel and recipe sharing via Green City Market newsletters. Many of our Zoom events have been free while some have come with a ticket price, usually in exchange for goods (wine, beer, dinner kits).
As a private non-profit organization, we rely on our members to help us support women in our industries. The scholarships and grants we award are entirely dependent on our fundraising initiatives – which have been largely curtailed this year.
We are excited about our future and so grateful for the ongoing involvement and support of our members. We are brimming with ideas to celebrate and support the women who are the future of our industry, and we raise a glass to you and toast to better days to come.