Purple Asparagus Hosts Purple by Night 2019

Purple by Night is a fundraising evening in support of Purple Asparagus, the nonprofit that educates children, families and the community about eating that’s good for the body and the planet. Hosted at The Ivy Room on Sunday, April 7, Purple by Night features food and drinks provided by H2Vino , Beam Suntory, and Lagunitas Brewing Company. 

The evening includes a silent auction to benefit Purple Asparagus’ flagship program: Delicious Nutritious Adventures. This year’s auction features a real-time online bidding platform powered by Givergy. Donors can visit their page at: https://givergy.us/pbn19. The platform will allow the Purple Asparagus community to participate even if supporters are unable to attend in person. Auction items include round-trip airfare on United Airlines, a stay at either of Marriott's Vacation Club properties on Singer Island, along with a host of restaurant gift certificates as well as food and adult beverage items.

“We are thrilled to celebrate our recent successes and garner additional support to sustain and expand Purple Asparagus,” says Melissa Graham, Purple Asparagus CEO and founder. “Our flagship program, Delicious Nutritious Adventures, brings healthy foods to life for kids in elementary school classrooms all over Chicago. However, we have a long waiting list of schools interested in the quality nutrition-focused programing that Purple Asparagus provides. Successful fundraising at our Purple by Night event will help our organization reach more schools and more students.”

WHEN:

Sunday, April 7, 2019

6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

WHERE:

The Ivy Room at Tree Studios

12 East Ohio St., Suite 100

Chicago, IL 60611             

TICKETS:

$125 in advance, or $135 at the door (if available).

Tickets can be purchased here.

In the 2018-19 school year, nearly 1,200 students in 18 Chicagoland schools will receive Purple Asparagus' nutrition education program, Delicious Nutritious Adventures (DNA). Purple Asparagus believes that every child should have the chance to discover new, wholesome foods and experience the excitement of growth and exploration around food. Their surveys show continuous growth over the years. A 2012-2013 study conducted by the University of Chicago which followed DNA students and their families found “57% of parents agreeing that their child is now eating more fruits; while 44% is eating more vegetables.” Their most recent self-administered survey reports 76% of students eating more fruits and 67% eating more vegetables. This is with a 20% growth of student population served in the last fast five years.

Imperfect Produce at Purple by Night

At the event, attendees can stroll through the Imperfect Produce Market and peruse the ingredients attendees can “purchase” for the Little Spears in our Delicious Nutritious Adventures program. This gift will provide a Delicious Nutritious Adventures ingredient for a class, a school or the entire program!

To thank attendees for this gift, they will receive a Delicious Nutritious recipe card commemorating the donation and their choice of fresh Imperfect Produce to take home and enjoy. 

2019 Star Spear

Purple Asparagus will honor its 2019 Star Spear: Kay Christ. Kay was an early board member and led the organization’s first healthy eating program in a Chicago public school. Her work with Purple Asparagus has continued through various board positions. She is currently the Governance Chairperson.

Kay recalls that, “At the beginning, our mission was bringing families back to the table and I was an early champion of educational outreach into children’s nutrition. In the early 2000s, the problems of obesity, early onset diabetes and even high blood pressure in kids were becoming way too common. The first “Healthy Snacks” program at one school transformed into our signature Delicious Nutritious Adventures and has reached thousands of Chicago children ever since. Working with the organization helps me feel that I am contributing to the health of future generations.”