2010: A Year of Rice Dinners

As seen on The Huffington Post!

Starting on the Upper West Side in New York City, a series of fund-raising rice dinners among friends nationwide will feed children at the MCF Academy. One night of food for you is one year of feeding for them.

Here's how it works: You cook rice dishes -- which is what we feed our children via the Niapele Project in Liberia to keep them healthy and focused in school. Ask your guests for a suggested donation. Donate the proceeds to the MacDella Cooper Foundation's Feeding Program. Dine in and make a difference, rather than going out to eat.

$100 feeds a child for a year. In 2010, we're on a mission to feed 100. Are you in?

87 children to go!

Will the next rice dinner be with your friends? Here's how to get started.

The Sixth Rice Dinner:
April 29, 2010
Fordham University in the Bronx
Hosted by: Kayla McGoff (pictured in the center)
$111 Raised = 1.1 child fed
What She Served:
Rice Krispies cereal, Rice Krispies treats, Fried rice, and White rice
Who She Invited: Her dormmates and other Fordham students
Suggested Donation: $3

The Fifth Rice Dinner:
March 25, 2010
Plainsboro, New Jersey
Hosted by: Shobana Nambu (guest of Sangeetha Ilango, at Rice Dinner #2!)
$100 Raised = 1 child fed
What They Cooked:
Appetizers: Veg Vada, Chat Item, Fruit Drink
Entree: Veg Biriyani & Raita, Tamarind Rice, Yoghurt Rice, Ridge-Gourd Curry
Dessert:Fruit Custard
Who She Invited: 10 friends
Suggested Donation: $10

The Fourth Rice Dinner:
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
New York City
Hosted by: Naomi Hirabayashi and the Rev. Amanda Kucik Rinas
$300 Raised = 3 children fed
What They Cooked:
Appetizers: Rice crackers, figs, grapes, prunes
Entree: Orange chicken with cashews and peas over rice, salad
Dessert: Rice pudding with raisins and brown sugar
Who They Invited: Twenties & Thirties group at Church of the Incarnation and their friends
Suggested Donation: $10

The Third Rice Dinner:
Monday, February 15, 2010
New York City - Fordham University, Lincoln Center
Hosted by Kelsey Butler and Janine Repka, students
$140 raised! = 1.4 children fed
What They Cooked: Fried rice balls, veggie stir fry, and Rice Krispie treats. (All stuff that was easy enough to make in a dorm room kitchen!)
Who They Invited: 15+ Fordham students, via Facebook
Suggested Donation: $10

The Second 'Rice Dinner':
Friday, February 5, 2010
Lawrenceville, New Jersey
Hosted by Sangeetha Ilango, Twitter Follower of @mcf_liberia
$150 raised! = 1.5 children fed
What She Cooked: Sangeetha actually made her meal a benefit brunch -- no rule that it has to be rice!
Muffins, croissants, bagel, quiche, cheese, fruits and coffee.
Who She Invited: Friends, pictured below
Suggested Donation: $10