Also just a little reminder about Zen Garden's annual "Eat for Free" event that takes place TONIGHT. Sorry I didn't post it earlier - I didn't realize lunch was part of the event as well.
"For the sixth year, Coco will serve up free, vegetarian Vietnamese food to those who stop in from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26 at the restaurant, 2240 Frankfort Ave. Customers are welcome and encouraged to make donations to one of several nonprofits. The nonprofit recipients change each year, but all are nominated by Tran's customers.
The first $1000 raised will go to Compassionate Service Society, a California center which creates a spiritual and healing environment for body, mind and spirit. The balance of the money will be distributed among the following:
1. Esperanza en Accion (Promoting fair-trade art from Nicaragua) Esperanza, or "Hope in Action" is Nicaragua-based and sells fair-trade products, economically empowering Nicaraguan artisans, fair trade garment factory workers (former sweatshop workers), and fair trade coffee farming cooperatives and their families.
2. Hand in Hand Ministries (for an AIDS clinic in Belize) Hand in Hand Ministries is a Louisville faith-based international service organization that provides food, shelter, clothing, medicine and other basics to the poorest of the poor, giving them dignity today and hope for tomorrow. Hand In Hand Ministries operates in Belize, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Appalachia.
3. Oxfam International (for relief work in Darfur, Sudan) Oxfam International, a confederation of 13 organizations working together with over 3,000 partners in more than 100 countries, searches for solutions to poverty, suffering and injustice.
4. Food Is Elementary (for work in Jefferson County schools) This curriculum teaches children about food, nutrition, and culture by introducing healthful foods through the traditions of different cultures. Already in six schools locally, this program will become available in many more schools, especially among lower income students."