Host a Harvest Dinner

Why host a harvest dinner?

CitySeed’s mission is to engage the community in growing an equitable, local food system that promotes economic development, community development and sustainable agriculture.

Becoming a Harvest Dinner Host will allow you to encourage your guests to support our mission as well, thereby making you a CitySeed Cultivator! You will be cultivating support for our organization as well as good health, good memories & so much more!

Here's one more reason: CitySeed has until September 30 to raise $5,000 and turn it into $10,000
with a matching grant from the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation! So, if your dinner raises $250, you will actually have raised $500 for CitySeed!

What’s Involved?

CitySeed will provide Harvest Dinner Hosts with a Harvest Dinner Host Kit with materials for hosts AND guests that includes invitations, small tokens of appreciation and thank you cards, a guest book with a guest sign in page, as well as a local food sourcing guide. In addition, with a minimum fundraising level of $150, hosts will receive $10 in market money to use at any City Farmers’ Market to help source your ingredients locally!

Each Harvest Dinner Host will be responsible for communicating with CitySeed to receive a Host Kit, planning and hosting the party, as well as returning the guest book with guest information to CitySeed.

The invitation suggests your guests make a “generous” donation to support CitySeed. Our suggested minimum is $40 per person. Some hosts plan a more elaborate party and ask their guests for $100 or more. For students and limited income supporters we suggest a minimum donation of $25.

Each dinner guest will receive a tax-deductible donation letter from CitySeed. Each Harvest Dinner Host will qualify as a CitySeed Cultivator and would receive special recognition for their efforts!

Suggested Timeline

2-3 weeks before the date of your party… Contact harvestdinners@cityseed.org or Elise at 203.773.3736 to register as a host.
As soon as you set the date of your party… Decide how many guests you would like to host and contact harvestdinners@cityseed.org to receive your Harvest Dinner Host Kit at any City Farmers’ Markets. Send out guest invitations. Start recording information in your Harvest Dinner guest book!
1 week before the date of your party…. Contact guests that have not yet responded, finalize guest list and menu items needed.
Week of your party… Buy your ingredients and look over CitySeed’s materials about our programs, mission, vision and community-based work.

Once You've Signed Up

¤ DEVELOP YOUR GUEST LIST
Don’t limit yourself to the “usual suspects.” The comfort of your home is the ideal environment to share CitySeed’s message with new supporters. Invite folks like your neighbors, coworkers, clients and church/synagogue members. As you make your guest list and determine your minimum ticket price, you can set your fundraising goal. Each host’s goal of $2500, $1000, $500 contributes in a major way to our work.

¤ MAIL / EMAIL YOUR INVITATIONS
Once you register to host we will provide you with an electronic invitation you can customize, print and mail or email to your guests.

¤ PLAN YOUR PARTY
Cocktail party, BBQ, theme party, simple buffet, elegant sit down… Your party is your gift to CitySeed and will be fun for you and your guests. Having fun and sharing a meal with friends and new guests will make for a relaxing and memorable party. Consider sharing the workload with friends if you are planning a large party.

¤ FOLLOW UP ON RSVPs
Contact guests who have not yet responded. With the big night only a week away you need to know who is coming and we need to know just how many people will be celebrating at your CitySeed Harvest Dinner.

¤ CONSIDER YOUR MESSAGE
As you plan your evening select the ideal time to thank your guests for coming and then tell your story … why you support CitySeed. Take time to review the key issues provided in your Host Kit and think of a few personal points to share with your guests.

¤ GUESTS
Use your Harvest Dinner guest book provided in your Host Kit to keep track of your guest sign in, information and donations!

Thank You!

CitySeed Inc. Post Office Box 2056 New Haven, CT 06521
t/f 203.773.3736 www.cityseed.org