LA fire fundraiser raffle

Enter, win (big), and support people in need.

These fires in LA have been devastating, apocalyptic, unfathomable — and yet there they are. Indiscriminately ravaging homes, rolling over neighborhoods as first responders fight with the kind of bravery I reserve for fantasy books: Gandalf against the balrog, Harry Potter against Voldemort. But this is real.

In my Highland Park (Illinois), there’s snow on the ground. My house is struggling to stay warm, so I’m sitting next to my fireplace. A Duraflame flickers and I feel ashamed that I’m deriving comfort from something that’s causing others such unimaginable grief.

So today I’m doing what I can to bring some relief to people who need it — in the form of a fundraiser. Here are the details:

Rel’s Recs LA Fire Fundraiser

Guess who learned Canva for this fundraiser?

This fundraiser is a raffle, which means anyone who enters gets a chance to win a prize valued at over $900. It’s packed with gifts from spectacular food industry people, James Beard award-winning writers, and talented makers. But first, here’s where the funds will be going:

50% of funds raised will go to LA Food Bank. The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank provides year-round food assistance to those facing hunger and also acts as a first responder during natural disasters, including the current fires.

50% of funds raised will go to World Central Kitchen Relief Team. World Central Kitchen’s Relief Team is in Southern California providing water and sandwiches to first responders and families. World Central Kitchen Chef Corps members are on standby to make full meals to deliver when possible.

The seriously insane prize:

$100 gift card to Big Night BK

Knife set from Made In Cookware ($349 value)

Signed Tenderheart: A Cookbook about Vegetables and Unbreakable Family Bonds by Hetty McKinnon

Signed Chinese Enough by Kristina Cho

Signed Cellar Rat: My Life in the Restaurant Underbelly by Hannah Selinger

Signed cookbook (title forthcoming) by Alex Guarnaschelli

Fresh spices donated from The Dinner Plan’s Maggie Hoffman

Signed Snacking Bakes by Yossy Arefi

Signed 15-minute meals by Ali Rosen

Signed Dolci! by Renato Poliafito

One-hour private zoom dance or fitness session with performer and Kinrgy instructor Jana Krumholtz (SNL, Lip Sync Battle, America’s Got Talent, Coachella, VMAs)

Signed What Goes With What by Julia Turshen

Access to a virtual cooking class with Julia Turshen ($40 value)

One-year paid subscription to Keep Calm & Cook On ($50 value)

One-year paid subscription to Dennis Lee’s Food is Stupid ($50 value)

One virtual publishing consult with Sally Ekus — topic options here ($325 value)

Yes, all of this. Over $900 of incredible goods — all generously donated by the kind people on this list.

How to enter:

This is what my venmo looks like!

• To enter, Venmo @Ariel-Kanter any dollar amount.

• $1 = 1 entry (the more you give, the better chance you have at winning)

• Venmo must be labeled Rel’s Recs LA FIRE FUNDRAISER with your full name

Timeline:

• Raffle opens today, January 11

• Raffle closes: January 15, 8 PM Central. I will use a randomizer to select a winner.

• Winner will be announced on Instagram the morning of January 16. I will discuss with winner how to get all these goods to you!

• Funds will be donated by January 16 EOD. I’ll share donation receipts via my newsletter and on social media.

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I want to send a special thank you to all of the writers and makers who responded to me so quickly yesterday when I came up with this idea. Your energy and enthusiasm made this fundraiser possible. I’m moved by your generosity and I feel a speck of hope that the money we raise may make a difference where it matters.

Thank you to everyone who is reading, entering, commenting, and sharing. To everyone in LA, my heart is with you. I hope this helps.

xo,

Rel

PS. If you click my links, I may receive a commission.

PPS. The gift list is subject to change. I may add a few things over the next 24 hours. I am flying by the seat of my pants with this to get this money to people who need it quickly. Standard terms and conditions apply.