Reka's World

Reka's Update on Entrée-to-Hope

Reka reflects on her personal aspirations for, and satisfaction with, the Entrée-to-Hope as it enters the final week of its month-long run.  (See earlier post, “Entrée to Hope:  A Partnership to Help the Needy”)

I hope we get enough support to help our less fortunate Westchester residents.  The donations will be used on food, shelter and literacy projects.

I have been involved with the Westchester Food Bank, Grace Church, and other institutions with food and shelter programs for over twenty years now, and yet sadly it is still a hidden problem in Westchester.  A lot of people do not know that we have hungry children here in our county.

The literacy program that Entrée-to-Hope supports is especially close to my heart.  I am a former educator, a role that I will remain to identify with for the rest of my life.  My mother told all her children that education is the most important part of one's life.

I am amazed at how wonderful our customers and friends are.   We have people who wanted to give more, ten or twenty instead of one or two dollars.  Some say they are happy and blessed to be the ones to give.  Also, nothing makes me happier than seeing a child put the money or envelope into that box. They learn to give to society and learn a little bit about life.

These are the many reasons why it is very gratifying for me to be given a chance to participate in this. 

Entrée to Hope: Partnership for the Needy

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In a press conference held today at his X2O Restaurant in Yonkers, Peter Kelly joined representatives from the non-profit and restaurant partners to help spread the word about the second annual Westchester's Entrée to Hope drive formally launches today.  The month long program begins on February 15, 2010 and runs through March 15, 2010.

Three non-profit groups—The Food Bank of Westchester, Grace Church Community Center and the Literacy Volunteers of Westchester—have partnered with area restaurants to support the drive to raise awareness and funding to help county residents who are most in need.  At least thirty restaurants have already signed up to participate.

In his welcome remarks, Mr. Kelly alluded to the collective power of a group.

As a restauranteur I, like all of my colleagues are, [am] constantly asked to lend a hand to the hungry, the homeless, the less fortunate, the sick. And we do participate but there is a limit to what one of us, one person, can do. As a group we can achieve much more and Entrée to Hope allows us to do it in a win-win situation.

Two other partner restaurateurs graced the event, Philip McGrath of Iron Horse Grill in Pleasantville and Reka Souwapawong of Reka's Thai Restaurant in White Plains. Observing that there were fewer restaurant partners attending this year’s press conference, Ms. Souwapawong later commented:

I recall that last year there were more people attending.  I think most restaurant owners are busy catching up today after operations were affected by yesterday’s blizzard.  So I’m still counting on a blizzard of support when Entrée to Hope kicks off on Monday.

Entrée to Hope encourages Westchester diners to donate $1 for each entree they eat at participating restaurants throughout the country. The combined vision of the partners is to share resources to reach a common goal of providing food, shelter and education to those who need the most in Westchester County. For a complete list of the partner restaurants, or to make a donation online, visit www.entreetohope.org.