Menu for Hope 6-Donate and You might win a stay at Bella Baita

Menu for Hope 6 is off and running!
December 14-25, 2009

If you aren't familiar with this fund raising campaign you might want to read more about its origins at Chez Pim's blog here and all about how to participate here. 
In a nut shell, Pim reached out to her fellow food bloggers and their audiences in response to the devastating tsunami that hit southeast Asia 5 years ago and this effort has evolved into supporting the UN World Food Programme. This years focus is one close to my heart for a variety of reasons, as the proceeds will be going to a " new initiative at the WFP called Purchase for Progress (P4P).  P4P enables smallholder and low-income farmers to supply food to WFP’s global operation.  P4P helps farmers improve farming practices and puts more cash directly into their pockets in return for their crops.  This will also help buoy local economy by creating jobs and income locally.... More on P4P at http://www.wfp.org/purchase-progress."

Now, I'm reaching out to you to ask you to join in this challenge to raise money while donating money for raffle tickets for a chance to bid and possible win a wide variety of fabulous offerings donated from many food related bloggers and such from around the world. You donate $10 per entry, you'll have a chance to win fabulous bid items from all over the world. You can make as many donations as you wish; the more you enter, the more chances you'll have of winning.

This is where I have the pleasure of telling you that Fabrizio and I are donating a 2 night stay with us at Bella Baita, (Bid item code: EU35) our mountain retreat in the Italian Alps. We know you'll want to wander around our neighborhood, breath in the fresh air and savor the spectacular French border views that are to be had in our "off the beaten path" inn here in Piedmont, but we've got a guided market tour in Pinerolo in store for you as well. You just need to make sure you're here for Wednesday or Saturday morning as you won't want to miss out on this tempting part of the offer. You'll feel like a local as we shop our way through this twice weekly outdoor market that has been held in the same location for over 1,000 years.

We'll sample some of the local cheeses, but we'll be spoiled for choice as there are just so many to choose from and plenty of local fruits and vegetables to go along with or pick up all the ingredients for a picnic lunch later.

That is, unless we spoil ourselves with a trip to our favorite cafe with all the killer pastries and the  chocolate shop that makes their own version of Nutella that will have you checking your baggage allowance to see how many jars you will be able to bring home.

And naturally, there is the "view" from Bella Baita that is truly worth the visit.  Don't take our word for it, check out what some of our guests have had to say about their visit with us on Trip Advisor.

We recommend that you plan your visit with us sometime April through October, but other times would be considered and, naturally, subject to availability, as we are a small inn. The Bid item (code: EU35) offer is valid through Dec 2011, giving you plenty of time to plan that Italian holiday you've always wanted to take, or maybe you just want a short break to recharge the battery.
Be tempted by all of the European offerings where ours is located at author and bon vivant David Lebovitz's blog.

Have some fun and help a worthy cause that benefits many.
Bid now and bid often, we're awaiting your visit!

You can browse the varied bid items by region at all of the sites listed below:
Europe (hosted by David Lebovitz)
Asia Pacific (hosted by Ed of Tomatom)
USA: East Coast (hosted by Helen of Tartelette)
USA: West Coast (hosted by Shauna of Gluten Free Girl)
Canada (hosted by Tara of Seven Spoons)

To Donate and Enter the Menu for Hope Raffle


Here's what you need to do:

1. Choose a bid item or bid items of your choice from our Menu for Hope main bid item list.

2. Go to the donation site at Firstgiving and make a donation.

3. Please specify which bid item you'd like in the 'Personal Message' section in the donation form when confirming your donation. You must write-in how many tickets per bid item, and please use the bid item code.

Each $10 you donate will give you one raffle ticket toward a bid item of your choice. For example, a donation of $50 can be 2 tickets for EU01 and 3 tickets for EU02 - 2xEU01, 3xEU02.

4. If your company matches your charity donation, please check the box and fill in the information so we could claim the corporate match.

5. Please check the box to allow us to see your email address so that we can contact you in case you win. Your email address will not be shared with anyone.



And please pass this post along to friends and others via links on your blog and via social networks, such as Twitter and Facebook. You can use the Share This button below.
If you have any questions you can contact me at Marla at bellabaita point com

Update: Here is a link to a streamlined bidding form, Menu for Hope 6 widget,  that simplifies the bidding process.