Eating for Relief

You can call me shallow, if you like.

I've been looking for a Haiti relief fundraiser to attend.

Of course The Handsome Man and I have sent money already, but things are so devastated in Haiti. It’s mind-boggling. Times like this, when we're reeling from disaster, it's useful for us humans to congregate. It's a natural impulse. Also, I get a little spiritual about it, and believe that multiple well-meaning hearts gathered in one place can create a strong positive force. As I keep reading about the loss in Haiti, ugh - my soul gets heavy, and I want to be a part of a force for good.

The Colorado Caterer's Association has suggested that I might be a force for good while eating well and enjoying some quality time with my friends.

The Colorado Caterers are putting on a fundraiser this Sunday at Mile High Station from 5-9PM with live music and "amazing“ heavy hors d'oeuvres. Your $25 minimum donation grants you admission to the soiree and two drink tickets.

Good for them. Coming together is the right thing to do. Making it a fundraiser is the right thing to do. The event sponsors are being very generous (100% of proceeds are going to the Red Cross), which is the right thing to do.

And it works for me. Like I said, I've had the urge to gather.

Plus, my best pals are going, and their friends I like, and Handsome, and his friends I like.

Plus, it's at Mile High Station, where Handsome and I have been known to have a stupid good time. (We do well at weddings and bar mitzvahs.)

Plus, hello, drinks, meet the groove band.

Not to mention The Deluxe Nibblies.

It’s very much my kind of night.

Here’s my problem: the unfolding tragedy that is our raison d’etre.

I was reading in the NYTimes yesterday about the food shortages and widespread hunger in Haiti at present. It’s a desperate situation for thousands, if not millions (I’m wincing) of people. With that, how appropriate is my excitement over the prospect of tucking into those “heavy hors d’oeuvres” on Sunday? And it’s not just the food. There’s something incongruous about partying our way to disaster relief.

I don’t want to be too hair-shirted about this, or overly self-conscious about my first-world privilege or my self-indulgences or my personal good fortune. But, like I said to Handsome tonight, it’s bound to feel weird at some point on Sunday, and we might as well get ahead of it.

So here’s what we’re thinking: We’ll go to the function on Sunday, and make our contribution, and hopefully have a good time and some good eats. And we’ll do that after having had a delightful meal at home with friends on Saturday evening. (Been looking forward to that.)

But on Monday, we start a fast.

Duration: Monday through Friday. Purpose: Solidarity, heightened consciousness, sacrifice. Regimen: A vegetarian, sunrise-to-sunset, solid-food fast. Bonus: To the extent we experience any savings, we can make another donation.

It’s only so meaningful, in the grand scheme, but I think it will be centering. Also, you know... the positive force. It’s how Handsome and I plan to reconcile it, anyway.

I don't know how the event planners are going to manage the presentation of delectable cuisine and dance music against Haiti's desperation. That's a balancing act that would be tricky to emcee. It's going to be weird enough being a guest, having a good time for a good cause for such a tragic reason.

But if you believe there's value in coming together...

And/or if you were going to send more money anyway...

And/or if you think about it as sending up a light from your heart...

Maybe it's not so weird, and I'll see you there.