Congratulations to “Handbags for Hunger” organizers

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Above, “during” and “before” pix from the WSB Forum members’ smash-hit benefit this afternoon at Beveridge Place Pub — ringleader JoB has posted a wrapup in this forum thread, and we just got this note from Pete Spalding of the West Seattle Food Bank board:

WOW!!!! Where can I start?

First of all from all of our clients, the Board of Directors of the West Seattle Food Bank would like to send out a HUGE THANK YOU to the organizers, everyone that participated and to Gary the owner of the Beveridge Place Pub for making a big difference on a Sunday afternoon.

I could not believe the number of folks that turned out for this quickly, but well-organized event. Lots of energy in the room for not only the West Seattle Food Bank but also for a great program, Dress For Success. Through everyoneâ€™s hard work and charitable mood it was a most successful event. The big event today raised a whopping $704.51 along with approximately 300 pounds of donated food.

Just a quick plug to say that our work at the West Seattle Food Bank goes on everyday of the year. The need in our community is on the increase right now and we certainly appreciate all of the very generous folks here in our West Seattle community that help us keep our doors open to our neighbors in need.

Here are a couple of other ways you can help us right now:

1. If you are a Bruce Springsteen fan you know that he is playing at KeyArena on March 29th. You can go to this link charityfolks.com/cfauctions/auction_verticalngo.asp?slrid=1048
and bid on a pair of tickets to the show as well as passes to the E Street Lounge before the concert begins. The proceeds from this bidding will benefit the West Seattle Food Bank.

2. On May 1st we will be celebrating our first anniversary in our new building by holding an event at the Hall at Fauntleroy. It is called Instruments of Change because everyone that comes that night is an instrument of change for our West Seattle Community. The event begins at 6 pm and tickets are $75. The ticket includes a sit-down meal along with some great entertainment. Phyllis Campbell, President/CEO of the Seattle Foundation, will be our guest speaker. You can go to our web site www.westseattlefoodbank.org to buy tickets or for more information.

Once again thanks for a great Sunday afternoon event. WSB readers ROCK!!!

Ditto that from us. Huge “way to go” for the folks who expanded their online friendship into the offline world and found a way to morph a meetup into a chance to do even more good in the community. You can join the ongoing discussion here.

TheVelvetBulldog March 16, 2008 (7:51 pm)

What a great event – thanks WSB for keeping it front and center on the blog. Thanks JoB et al for your great work and community organizing. Some tangible and intangible good works were accomplished today.

Paul March 16, 2008 (8:52 pm)

We donated but were not able to attend…But I am glad to hear of such a wonderful event! Makes me more and more happy every day to know that I live and work in West Seattle!

J.See March 17, 2008 (11:24 am)

The event really was so much fun and a great deal! I hope that there are more things like this in the works.

Bernicki March 17, 2008 (10:45 pm)

Who is the beautiful woman leading the meeting in the first picture?

WSB March 18, 2008 (7:33 am)

We unfortunately failed to get names for captions but I believe she was from Dress for Success – JoB and the organizing team hopefully can elaborate.

Andrea March 18, 2008 (10:01 am)

Thank you so much WSB forum members for a fabulous afternoon on Sunday! I had the best time and even though I didn’t walk away with any handbags myself (I did off load a few though!), it was great to be able to put faces with names and to chat with everyone in person. JoB, JanS, and Charla (of Charlabob) did a magnificent job of planning, and The Velvet Bulldog was great behind the scenes. I am so glad to have met you all!

p.s. the above woman in the foreground of the photo was Michelle from Dress for Success (good call WSB). She was speaking to the gathered folks about what the program does for local women. Its a great program.