Project by Project

NYC is full of non-​profits but it’s actually surprisingly hard to find one that has a cause that I believe in. PbP somehow hit it all together, great people and one main event uniting the group — the Annual Tasting Benefit. I also love that their theme is to help a different non-​profit every year.

I’ve volunteered for many different organizations in the past and the reason why I have not been with PbP for a while was honestly because of the people behind the curtains (it’s very hoity-​toity). The NY Director of Partner Outreach (previous years Director of Volunteer Management) has a difficult time checking his ego when he speaks about food at a Unilocal Event. During the past week a new NY Director of Volunteer Management was setting up people for their annual tasting event, Plate by Plate. After reading a lengthy handbook and Plate by Plate Volunteer agreement, I was a little bit turned off by having to provide credit card information as supposedly in the past volunteers would take advantage of the event by consuming alcohol and excessive food. There are other ways to mitigate such things.
I was also turned off when she asked volunteers for $ 5 for a PbP T-​shirt and during my meeting last night find that it was mandatory to be worn with black slacks even though the Plate by Plate agreement had not mentioned anything about it. Throughout the whole volunteer orientation, I kept hearing a lot of me-​me-​me. Me as in PbP. If we are to receive any tips, it’s property of PbP. If there is excess wine/​food/​whatever, it is property of PbP. The map and assignments for the event is also not finalized because volunteers are cancelling. Go figure.
A volunteer’s time is invaluable and it is unfortunate that NY Director of Volunteer Management doesn’t have a clue.
Wherever there is darkness, there is light however. The NY Manager of Auction Donations was also at the orientation and he was the only one who seemed a bit more down to earth and knowledgeable about human relations. He spoke up and thought it would be a good idea for all the volunteers (there were only about 10 of us) to introduce ourselves. Unfortunately, it was at the end of the meeting. I also met the National President & Co-​founder many many years ago, an outgoing gal with a warm personality. I hope she is doing better now, but the organization as a whole needs a lot of improvement or take a journey into the grassroots movement. Otherwise, if all PbP wanted to create an atmosphere of unanimity by having volunteers pay for their uniforms and not know each other’s name for the Plate by Plate event, they will surely succeed.
Although I was apparently assigned to assist a restaurant with 4-​Yelp Stars and was really excited about assisting as a runner (and pretending I’m at a catered Top Chef event circa season 2), I’m going to bow out of it. Donate my T-​shirt to good will.
There is no sense of class, humility, moreover purpose as I learned nothing about the cause: Chinatown Youth Initiatives, my fellow volunteers, nor the participating restaurants.

Do you want to help the Asian-​American community? If you answered yes, then Project by Project is a wonderful place to start.
A devoted, intelligent, business savvy, and motivated staff pool their efforts to provide an unparalleled 100% of their donations to their partner charitable organization of choice — which changes annually.
Through fundraising, community outreach, and raising awareness, PbP takes on the challenge to level the playing field and give a hand-​up to underprivileged communities.
Their signature fundraising event is Plate by Plate which I’ve been fortunate enough to volunteer for 3 times (once recently in LA). It is most definitely a highlight of my year. From top-​tier restaurants to notable local celebrities, it’s an unforgettable night of food, booze, a silent auction, and more food ;) Of course the food tastes that much better when you know your hard earned ticket money is going directly to charity — the restaurants have donated their time and money, and beyond that the event is facilitated completely though volunteers and donations.
Make it happen with PbP — I’ve met a lot of great individuals though this awesome organization and I see myself contributing to their efforts — and sharing delicious food with them — for years to come.