Philanthropists Bacardi and Grass Tip Birthday Hats to Food For The Poor

Kimberly Bacardi and Natalie Grass hosted their joint birthday party luncheon at “Dolores But You Can Call Me Lolita” restaurant on Aug. 25. The vibrant pair passed on receiving personal gifts – asking friends and family instead to send good karma and monetary donations in their honor to the South Florida-based nonprofit Food For The Poor.

The surprise chocolate frosted and fondant birthday cake was made by celebrity Chef Ron Duprat, from Season 6 of Top Chef. Chocolate mousse separated the chocolate and vanilla cake layers, and an icing Haitian flag design was the perfect thank you on behalf of those the birthday girls are helping in Haiti. First prize for best hat went to lawyer Natasha Mayne with her stunning purple-plumed bonnet from Neiman Marcus.

Wearing their most stylish hats, guests listened to stories from Bacardi’s eye-opening travel experience to Haiti with Food For The Poor and a group from the Florida Marlins.

“Horrendous living conditions exist in Haiti – only an hour and a half by plane from Miami,” said Bacardi. “I plan to return to Haiti in the future with Food For The Poor to see how our donations have been used to build a village and positively affect change.”

During Bacardi’s journey to Haiti, she visited Food For The Poor-sponsored orphanages, handicapped homes, feeding centers and villages. Bacardi’s goal is to inspire others to realize they can make a difference in Haiti – one person, one family at a time.

“By traveling to Haiti, Kim’s presence gave those she met and hugged renewed hope,” said Angel Aloma, Food For The Poor’s Executive Director. “By using their birthdays to do good for others, Kim and Natalie exemplify the importance of cheerful giving, and that it is more fulfilling to give than it is to receive.”

Birthday monies will go toward the Food For The Poor and Florida Marlins “Homes For Haiti” campaign to construct the Good Karma Community Center in Cap-Haitien, Haiti. The center will provide a place for a health clinic and vocational training classes. Extra funds will be used to fulfill other needs within the community – housing, solar power and animal husbandry projects, for example.

To support Bacardi and Grass’s effort, please make checks payable to Food For The Poor and include the special source code “SC# 70264.” Donations can be mailed to 7824 SW 193 Street, Miami, FL 33157. All gifts are tax-deductible. Online donations can also be made through the charity’s secure Web site, www.foodforthepoor.org/goodkarmagroup.

Food For The Poor, the largest international relief and development organization in the nation, does much more than feed millions of hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This interdenominational Christian agency provides emergency relief assistance, clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for orphans and the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance, with more than 96 percent of all donations going directly to programs that help the poor. For more information, please visit www.FoodForThePoor.org.