Amagansett – In an effort to fill the empty shelves at local food pantries, John Kowalenko and Cheryl Stair of Art of Eating and Hampton Event Management International (HEMI) (74 Montauk Highway, Amagansett, 631-267-3312) will present “Ladles of Love,” a concert fundraiser benefiting the East End Food Pantry Network.
The concert will take place on Monday, Aug. 3 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Principi Farm (551 Montauk Highway, Amagansett) and will feature performances by Band of Brothers including Simon Kirk from Bad Company, G.E. Smith from “Saturday Night Live,” John Conte from Billy Joel, Jeff Kazee from Bon Jovi, Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes, as well as Bastards of Boom, The Surf Dogs, Mama Lee and Friends, Danni D., Rob Cannillo, and special guests.
VIP and VVIP ticket holders are invited to a tented food and wine tasting from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. featuring signature dishes from East End restaurants paired with local wine and beer. VIP participants to date include: Ace Metro Beverage, Art of Eating Catering, Babette’s, The Clam Bar, Dark Horse Catering, Della Femina, Estia’s Little Kitchen, Exquisite Foods, Foody’s, Gurney’s Inn, Hamptons Coffee Company, Runaways, The Seafood Shop, Southampton Publick House, Stuart’s Seafood Market, Taste of the North Fork, Thyme & Again, Wildthyme, and Wolffer Estate Vineyards. All leftover food from the tasting will be donated to the food pantries immediately after the event.
The public is encouraged to bring non-perishable items that will be collected at the door. Kowalenko has set a donation goal of 10,000 pounds. All profits from the event will be donated to the East End Food Pantry Network. Food pantries that will benefit include: Sacred Heart Church in Southampton, Mother Theresa Outreach Center in Montauk, East Hampton Food Pantry, Sag Harbor Food Pantry, St. Anne’s Episcopal Church in Bridgehampton, Wainscott Food Pantry, Springs Community Presbyterian Church, St. Rosalies Church in Hampton Bays, Greenport Food Pantry and Immaculate Conception in Westhampton. Amagansett Food Pantry will be formed using monies raised from “Ladles of Love” and will also receive donated items.
Tickets will be available for purchase at all Bridgehampton National Bank branches and Art of Eating Catering at 74 Montauk Highway in Amagansett beginning Saturday, July 11. Ticket holders are not allowed to bring coolers, bottles, or alcoholic beverages, and a blanket or beach chair is recommended for field seating.
Sponsorship opportunities are available and range in price from $10,000. Contact “Ladles of Love” directly for sponsor details at 631-267-3312.
The East End community banded together for the initial “Ladles of Love” fundraiser in January, which succeeded with impressive numbers. Total funds raised more than $10,000 and the final weight of the food poundage including donations and leftover products from the event totaled 2,124 pounds.
Donations may also be made by direct deposit at Bridgehampton National Bank or to “Ladles of Love,” c/o Hampton Event Management, P.O. Box 643, Amagansett, NY 11930. For more information about “Ladles of Love” call 631-267-3312 or visit www.ladlesoflove.org.
