CULINARY CARNIVAL TO PAIR FOOD AND WINE TO BENEFIT PRADO DAY CENTER

Knowledgeable local “foodies” are counting the days as the Friends of Prado Day Center gears up for the Fourth Annual Culinary Carnival, to be held Friday, February 3, 2012, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the San Luis Obispo Embassy Suites Hotel on Madonna Road.

The event will once again feature gourmet appetizers carefully prepared by well-known local celebrity chefs, restaurants, bakeries and local wine and beer purveyors.  Each dish will be specially paired with local wines and beers. Festivities will also include a silent auction, a live auction, and a 50/50 raffle. For detailed information on the chef line-up, participating wineries and brewers, and to purchase tickets, please visit www.sloculinarycarnival.com.

In its fourth year, the Carnival is Friends of Prado's largest fundraising event, with all proceeds going to support day-to-day operation of Prado Day Center. Participation is a modest $50 per person for this early evening event, which last year drew media attention.

Since opening its doors in September, 1997, Prado has provided essential day-to-day services for homeless members of our community. Noon meals--served by People's Kitchen-- showers, laundry facilities, and other vital services are made available. Help finding work, housing referrals, social services, and children’s activities are also offered to assist in the path back to self-sufficiency.

THE FIRST DAY OF WINTER,

THE LONGEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR

On December 21, 2011, the Homeless Services Oversight Council of SLO County will mark National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day with a candlelight vigil from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Mission Plaza in San Luis Obispo. Please bring a candle and join us remembering friends and neighbors who lost their lives without homes. For more information contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

In 2010 more than 1,900 people died homeless in the U.S. Homeless people die from exposure, unprotected from heat and cold. Homeless people die from violence, often in unprovoked hate crimes. Homeless people die from illnesses that affect everyone, frequently without health care.

In San Luis Obispo County nearly 3,800 people were homeless in January 2011. About 630 children slept in cars, hotels, shelters or on the streets. About one third of the homeless suffer from undiagnosed and/or untreated medical condition. About 17% of homeless people are veterans.

2011 Hunger Walk

The SLO Food Bank is hosting a Hunger Walk on Sunday, September 25th. To sign up as a walker or sponsor, go to www.slofoodbank.org and click on hunger walk. When signing up as a walker, make sure to put "Prado Day Center" or "MLM Shelter" as your team name. When you sign up to walk for Prado Day Center or MLM Shelter, 50% of the proceeds from your walk will go to your designated site as food credit.  Please pass the word along. Several walk locations are available across the county.

LOCAL YOUTH GIVES TOUCHING DONATION TO THE HOMELESS

Inspires local store to give as well

Shortly after his thirteenth birthday, Mila Dorji celebrated his Bar Mitzvah. He suggested that monetary gifts to him would be used to purchase a clothes dryer to serve the homeless at Prado Day Center as a Mitzvah or good deed. His generous friends donated enough money to enable him to purchase both a washer and a dryer from our local Idler’s appliance store. Mila then worked with Idler’s, who in turn generously stepped up and decided they would help Prado Day Center as well. Idler’s donated an additional two sets. In the end three sets of washer/dryer united were donated to Prado Day Center.

“This thoughtful act of generosity by such a young man has been truly inspiring. It is so touching when someone so young can give to others so selflessly,” said Dee Torres, CAPSLO Director of Homeless Services.

Mila had recently toured Prado Day Center and learned that they were in great need of new washer and dryer units. All three washer/dryer units at the center were old and ineffective. "Visiting the center really made me feel strongly about how people live every day,” said Mila. “I wanted to make a difference and I’m really glad I helped.”

Prado Day Center is the only place in the county where the homeless can get their clothes clean. Each day the washers at Prado Day Center do 35 sets of laundry for people who might not otherwise have access to clean clothing. The washer/dryers are vital to the center, and there are no funds available or budgeted to replace them.

“We were really moved by Mila’s thoughtfulness and willingness to help the homeless,” said Don Idler, President of Idler’s Appliances. “We were happy to help and pleased to be a part of this contribution.” Dee Torres added “We rely on these types of selfless donations - they make all the difference.”

Photo Caption: Keith and Don from Idler's Appliances with Mila Dorji, Paul Wolf and Dee Torres in front of the washers and dryers purchased for Prado Day Center through the donations of Mila and Idler's.

FRIENDS OF PRADO DAY CENTER RECEIVES GENEROUS DONATION FROM ET VOILA

Et Voila Restaurant recently opened for lunch and served over 80 customers on a Sunday when they are normally closed to the public and donated all of the proceeds to Friends of Prado Day Center.  The gracious donation of more than $750 will be used by Prado Day Center to provide vital services to the homeless in San Luis Obispo.

“It was truly generous of Chef Jose Dahan with Et Voila to open their doors on their day off and donate all of the proceeds from the lunch to the Friends of Prado Day Center,” said Paul Wolff, Co-President of the Friends of Prado Day Center.

Funds from the donation will be used to care for the ever growing homeless population in our community. Prado Day Center is the only day center serving the homeless population in this region. Every day, 100 or more people seek refuge and assistance at the Center and over 30 percent of the Center’s participants are now women and children. 365 days a year, Prado Day Center provides a safe haven for those in need and offers a comprehensive array of services and resources to meet basic needs.

Et Voila is located at 12304 Los Osos Valley Road. They are open for lunch Tuesday through Friday and for dinner on Friday and Saturday night.  More information about the restaurant, Chef Jose Dahan, and current menus are available at www.etvoilarestaurant.com.

Friends of Prado Day Center Board Members Anneka Scranton and Alex Gough receive donation from Chef Jose Dahan with Et Viola Restaurant.

FRIENDS OF PRADO DAY CENTER RECEIVES DONATION FROM SLO DISTANCE CLUB

Annual Run Against Hunger Raised $2,000 For Prado Day Center

The Friends of Prado Day Center recently received a $2,000 donation from the San Luis Distance Club.  Every year since 1996, the San Luis Distance Club holds its Thanksgiving Day Run Against Hunger. This year there were 403 registered entrants who helped to raise funds for the Prado Day Center.

“We’re pleased we’re able to benefit from the San Luis Distance Club’s annual Thanksgiving Day run,” said Paul Wolff, Co-President of the Friends of Prado Day Center.

Funds from the donation will be used to care for the ever growing homeless population in our community. The Prado Day Center is the only day center serving the homeless population in this region. Every day, nearly 100 or more people seek refuge and assistance at the Center, and over 30 percent of the Center’s participants are now women and children. 365 days a year, the Center provides a safe haven for those in need and offers a comprehensive array of services and resources to meet basis needs.

The San Luis Distance Club was formed in 1974 by a group of local residents to promote distance running in San Luis Obispo County.

From left to right: Dee Torres, Director of Homeless Services – Community Action Partnership SLO; Heidi Harrison, San Luis Distance Club representative; Elaine Rosenfield, San Luis Distance Club representative; and Paul Wolff, Friends of Prado co-president.

SEMPRA ENERGY GRANT

Sempra Energy Foundation provided the Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County with a $5,000 grant to support services at the Prado Day Center and Maxine Lewis Memorial Shelter.

Funds are to assist the Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County in providing food, shelter and other support services to homeless individuals and families.

ATASCADERO MONTESSORI STUDENTS RUN TO RAISE FUNDS FOR HOMELESS

More than $6,000 raised by students for Prado Day Center

Local students from the Children’s House Montessori School raised more than $6,000 for Prado Day Center though a Jog-A-Thon held at the Atascadero school. More than 65 children from Kindergarten through 6th grade ran at the Children’s House Jog-A-Thon. The students ran a total of 3,375 laps in the rain to raise $6218.88 for the homeless center.

“Every child who participated showed such passion, commitment, determination and pride. Not to mention incredible stamina! I was so impressed and extremely proud of each and every one of them,” said Korey Dudley, owner and director, Children’s House Montessori School.

“It’s wonderful to see young people involved in helping the community. We are touched that the students worked so hard, and in the rain no less.” said Paul Wolff, Co-President of the Friends of Prado Day Center.

Funds from the donation will be used to care for the ever growing homeless population in our community. Prado Day Center is the only day center serving the homeless population in this region. Every day, nearly 100 or more people seek refuge and assistance at the Center and over 30 percent of the Center’s participants are now women and children. 365 days a year, the Center provides a safe haven for those in need and offers a comprehensive array of services and resources to meet basis needs.

The Children’s House in Atascadero consists of a wonderful group of children, staff and families that share a common goal to work together to give each a sense of belonging and a sense of purpose. Using the teachings of Dr. Maria Montessori as a guide, they strive to work each day to help each child and each other reach their greatest potential, by embracing learning and appreciating and respecting the world in which we live.