Lincoln County, Oregon, June 12, 2017 (Newswire.com) - A young Philadelphia student, Cassandra Marsh, has 'cooked up' her first fundraiser. What Cassandra aimed to do was to help families in need within the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood. She is originally from Lincoln County, Oregon, but has lived most of her life in Philadelphia.
Marsh has come up with a truly innovative idea for her fundraiser. On the one hand, she wants to ensure that families in Strawberry Mansion are fed, while at the same time raising money to invest in a public space. Her concept is titled 'Cook for the Community' in which she has asked people to come together and cook as much as they can in a 40-hour cooking marathon.
"I believe that, by working together, we will be able to cook 6,000 meals, which will then be packaged and then frozen, after which we will distribute them in the community. I am asking community members to donate ingredients — any at all — and to help out and cook. It is a simple idea, but one that I believe will make a real difference."
Cassandra Marsh
Cassandra Marsh herself says: "I believe that, by working together, we will be able to cook 6,000 meals, which will then be packaged and then frozen, after which we will distribute them in the community. I am asking community members to donate ingredients — any at all — and to help out and cook. It is a simple idea, but one that I believe will make a real difference."
Over recent years, many people have pointed out that 'charity starts at home,' and this is the concept that Marsh wants to build on. Through her concept, the community will come together and cook for each other, with ingredients they have donated themselves. Some local supermarkets have already agreed to sponsor the event as well, donating cookery products, packaging materials, gas canisters, ingredients, and more.
Marsh adds: "I am absolutely thrilled with how much support has already been provided. In fact, I was contacted by a local chef who wants to come and direct the cooking, bringing with him his team of sous-chefs. Add to that the hundreds of volunteers who want to help cook, the hundreds who have donated ingredients, and the local stores who have made other significant donations, and we are good to go!"
Marsh and the local chef have come together to review the ingredients and tools that have been received in order to determine what should be cooked. Naturally, Philly Cheese Steak will be on the menu, but also Thai chicken with rice and the traditional apple pie. All non-perishable ingredients have been collected from community members, and local stores have agreed to keep fresh produce in their freezers and fridges, ready for the 40 hour cooking weekend.
Packaging materials have all been donated by local stores, and a local transport company has also agreed to help with the distribution of the meals once they are ready. At present, Marsh is working with a team of volunteers and the chef and sous-chef team to determine a rota of who cooks what, where, when, and how.
Meanwhile, Strawberry Mansion High's PTA has come forward to provide young volunteers to help with the cookery project as well. Their goal will be to go out into the community to raise funds for the public space that Marsh wants to create. Marsh says: "There is this fantastic piece of land that is underused. People hang out and hide there, taking drugs and drinking alcohol, and it is a hotbed of criminal activity. I have worked with the local authorities to develop a plan for that space to be completely redone so that it can become an area for the community to enjoy."
The local authorities have agreed to match any funds Marsh and her team raise for the public space, and various local construction companies have agreed to provide their skills for free. The goal is to turn the park into a skate park, a barbecue area, a playground, a basketball court and a miniature golf space. In so doing, it will offer something for families and children of all ages, enabling them to regain control and ownership of their personal community.
Marsh adds: "I am Oregon born, but raised within Strawberry Mansion, which is considered to be one of the worst neighborhoods in Philadelphia. I disagree with that bad reputation. For me, it has always been a place of strong community ties, but one that has been forgotten by the world. Through my cookery event and the fundraisers, I want to enable people to take ownership of their community and to give their strong community spirit a proper direction. These are exciting times, and it is great to see everyone come together in this way."
Source: Cassandra Marsh
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