Two local companies are tackling the problem of lack of food at local food banks in a creative way.

Not too long ago, local entrepreneurial incubator Gangplank challenged Terralever co-managing partner Andy Richter via Twitter to see who can raise the largest amount of food donations. Mr. Richter happily accepted the challenge.

What is the challenge? To see which of the two companies can bring in the most food donations. Their collective goal is to raise at least one ton of food. The challenge will end in August when the official tally of food will be calculated and the winner will be determined

The Terralever/Gangplank food drive will benefit St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance which has experienced a 90% drop in donations due to the economy. At times there are lines around the building with people looking to receive lunch so they really could use the help.

Terralever has also enlisted the help of the following local marketing companies for the food drive; Off Madison Ave, KeaneCreative, Sitewire Agency, and Synapse Studios.

People wishing to participate in this food drive can drop off non-perishable food donations Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM at their brand new office in Tempe:

425 S. Mill Ave. Suite 201
Tempe, AZ 85281

We know times are tough in this economy for some people but every little bit counts!

The Phoenix Chapter of the Chron’s and Colitis Foundation is sponsoring a training program that helps you get trained to run or walk a half marathon. The Program is called ‘Team Challenge’ and helps you to train for the marathon while you help raise money for a great cause.

‘Team Challenge’ is now recruiting teams for our Kona, Hawaii and Napa-to-Sonoma Wine County Half Marathons.

Information Meetings for the Kona & Napa Summer Season:

Saturday, February 21, 2009 @ 9:30 am – Red Mountain Multigenerational Center (Mesa)

Thursday, February 26, 2009 @ 5:30 pm – Trader Vic’s (Scottsdale)

* You are asked to RSVP to these events so they can save you a spot

For more information please visit the Team Challenge Website:

http://www.ccteamchallenge.org

Ok by now you’ve probably read about what the amazing folks at Ear Candy Productions are doing over the next couple of months with their Instrument Drive.

If you haven’t, PLEASE read this article before continuing as this is an extremely noble effort that is going on.

On Friday December 5th starting at 6:30 PM the Hard Rock Café in Downtown Phoenix will be hosting the kick-off concert for the Ear Candy Instrument Drive.

The line up for the Show is as follows:

Random Karma
The Preserve
BS (AC/DC Tribute Band)
The ROWYCO All-Stars featuring members of Guns N Roses and Quiet Riot.

In addition, Fender Guitars will be hosting a Rock Band Stage out of the back of a car.

The instrument drive and kick off party is shaping up to be one of those events that will be remembered for many years to come. Don’t miss out on the fun. Tickets are $25 and will sell out!

FYI this is a 21 and over event.

For more information please refer to the Ear Candy Products web page:

http://www.earcandyproductions.org/Event.aspx?Id=10

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=110117270783108833567.0004575018912c7506b8e&z=19

Starting December 1, 2008 through the end of January 2009, the wonderful folks at Ear Candy Productions are launching an Instrument Drive.  Ear Candy Productions are asking all residents of Phoenix to donate any new or ‘gently used’ instrument to any one of 30 drop off stations around the greater Phoenix area (a drop off station map can be found here).

The people that benefit from the Instrument Drive is the core foundation that Ear Candy Productions is built on:  making sure children have an opportunity to have their lives enriched through music.  All instruments “will be used to help revive and create music programs in schools, camps and youth organizations near the area they are being collected.”

If you don’t have an instrument to donate, you can still help out Ear Candy Productions by making a donation in numerous ways.

If you have an instrument to donate, please do not pass up the opportunity to give the gift of music this holiday season!

More information and details about where to drop off your instrument can be found here:

http://www.earcandyproductions.org/Instrument-Drive.aspx

To learn more about the wonderful organization that Ear Candy Productions is you have to check out their ‘About’ Page:

http://www.earcandyproductions.org/About.aspx

If you would like to support the wonderful work that Ear Candy Productions does for the community, they offer numerous ways you can support this amazing organization:

http://www.earcandyproductions.org/Support.aspx

The Phoenix Coyotes are looking for registered non-profit organizations (501(c)(3)) and who can provide 20 volunteers over the age of 18 to raise money during 50/50 raffles for every game.

For those of you who have never been to an NHL/hockey game, a 50/50 raffle is a time honored tradition at all Hockey games. 50/50 raffles are basically a lottery system where fans at a Coyotes game purchases at least one raffle ticket (multiple tickets are usually purchased) and the main prize is 50 percent of the total money raised for the 50/50 raffle.  The other 50 percent of the total money raised for the raffle goes to the non profit organization.

Once you enter into the arena for a Coyotes Game, as an example, you will see 50/50 raffle representatives strategically placed all over the upper and lower concourses of the arena.  Just go up to one of the voulenteers, purchase your tickets and the drawing will be later on in the game.

This is a great way for non-profit organizations to raise money!

If you are interested, contact the Maggie Goble with the Coyotes:

http://coyotes.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=379521&page=NewsPage&service=page

This is a new section of AZ Vibe we are starting called Philanthropies and we are going to be making announcements in two areas going forward:

1) Ways you can donate your time

2) Ways you can raise money for your (registered) nonprofit organization.