Hunger at Home Bridge the Gap Gala – Outdoor Edition

150 West San Carlos Street,San Jose CA 95113

18 September, 2021

Description

You're Invited to the Hunger at Home Bridge the Gap Gala – Outdoor Edition! Join us for an evening under the stars for our annual Bridge the Gap Gala as we celebrate overcoming the challenges of the last year and look towards the year ahead. Put on your cocktail attire and get ready to enjoy chef-inspired food, notable wine, craft beer, signature cocktails and lively, local entertainment. We are excited to come together in person in a safe and comfortable environment for our premier fundraising event of the year. Since the pandemic started, we have produced and distributed an astounding 6.5 million meals. Funds raised through the Gala will support our ongoing food distribution efforts to our nonprofit partners and community members. See you soon and thank you for helping us Bridge the Gap! ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Due to our current environment and our concern for everyone’s health and safety, our annual Bridge the Gap Gala will be held primarily OUTDOORS at the San José McEnery Convention Center, Lower Level Plaza. FAQs WHAT IS Bridge the Gap Gala – Outdoor Edition Bridge the Gap Gala – Outdoor Edition is an event designed to thank Hunger at Home supporters and recognize the significant accomplishments of the last year during very trying times for our community. We are excited to offer a safe, outdoor event where we can meet in person, under the stars in beautiful downtown San Jose. Expect to be entertained, and enjoy great food, notable wine, craft beer and live entertainment while mixing with old and new friends. Get excited for chances to win some big prizes in our Table Raffle! WHEN IS Bridge the Gap Gala – Outdoor Edition? Bridge the Gap Gala – Outdoor Edition takes place on Saturday September 18, 2021 from 5:30 p.m. through 9:00 p.m. Advanced ticket purchase is required. COVID-19 HUNGER AT HOME IS TAKING ADVANCED HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES FOR BOTH OUR ATTENDEES AND OUR STAFF. THIS IS OUR #1 PRIORITY. PLEASE REVIEW THE HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS BELOW. Our event is outside in the open air with ample space to avoid crowding and unsafe conditions.We are providing a contactless experience including Registration via scanning of your mobile device or printed ticket from a safe distance.All event volunteers will be required to wear masks & social distance as appropriate. Frequent hand sanitizing and handwashing will be required by all volunteers.All Hunger at Home staff member are fully vaccinated and have tested negative for COVID-19.IS THE EVENT A SIT-DOWN AFFAIR? Unlike past Galas, this year’s event will be a less formal affair given the primarily outdoor setting. The format will be akin a large cocktail party with plenty of opportunities to mix and mingle. Reserved seating will be limited for sponsors, however there will be plenty of informal cocktail seating to ensure everyone is comfortable and can sit down to enjoy food, drink, and to connect with friends. IS THE Bridge the Gap Gala – Outdoor Edition A PLATED DINNER BANQUET? No, but there will be many delicious food options. Guests can visit the numerous food stations and enjoy the offerings throughout the event. No table service will be provided at unreserved tables. Vegetarian and vegan food options will be available. WILL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES BE SERVED? Yes, multiple stations, bars and tasting tables will be offered to guests 21 years of age and older. Staff will require valid government issued identification for anyone who appears to be underage. We encourage guests to drink responsibly and enlist a designated driver or other means of sober transportation. WILL THERE BE DANCING? We have a tremendous line up of lively entertainment planned for the event. Unlike past galas where music and dancing started after the formal program, this year’s event will feature entertainment throughout the entire gala. We will be showcasing talent that celebrates our San Jose location and diverse community and yes, much of it is danceable. If the mood strikes you, we encourage you to get up and dance! WILL THERE BE A SILENT AND LIVE AUCTION? No, the gala will not include a silent and live auction this year. Instead, guests will have the opportunity to participate in our Table Raffle which will include an assortment of exciting, curated packages. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase onsite at the event. WHAT DO I WEAR? Pull out and dust off the cocktail attire! We’ve all been stuck in the house for too long, so dress up in your party clothes and meet us in the Plaza. WHERE IS Bridge the Gap Gala – Outdoor Edition TAKING PLACE? San José McEnery Convention Center, outdoors in the Lower Level Plaza, 150 West San Carlos Street, San Jose, CA 95113 HOW DO WE GET TO the San José McEnery Convention Center and WHERE DO WE PARK? By RideShare/Taxi service such as Uber or Lyft The recommended mode of transportation to our event is via rideshare service for convenience. Use the address for the San José McEnery Convention Center at 150 W San Carlos St, San Jose. We especially recommend this method if you plan to enjoy the many wonderful libations during the event. Drink responsibly. Drive safely. Do not drink and drive. Even better... get a room at the adjacent Marriott San Jose using our special event rate. By Light Rail If San Jose’s Light Rail is running, an easy way to get to the San José McEnery Convention Center is via VTA light rail. There is a light rail VTA stop right in front of the San José McEnery Convention Center on the Blue and Green lines – get off at the Convention Center stop. Exit off the train and walk towards the Convention Center Main Entrance. Follow the directions to The Hub for registration. https://www.vta.org/sites/default/files/2020-01/LR-Map-2020.pdf By Car The address of the San José McEnery Convention Center is 150 W San Carlos St, San Jose, CA 95113. Enter the public parking garage either from Market St. or Almaden Blvd. entrances. Once in the garage, proceed to the area in green (Hall 1/the Marriott side) to park. Enter the convention center doors located by the pay machine. Once inside go left toward the double glass doors. Registration will be located in The Hub. ARE EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT ROOM RATES AVAILABLE AT A NEARBY HOTEL? Yes, the adjacent San Jose Marriott is offering a special group rate of $99/night for the night of Sept 18th if you book your room by Friday, Sept 10th. Enjoy the Gala without worrying who's driving home. Spend the night in luxury in beautiful Downtown San Jose. Use this link to reserve your room now: https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1626302798974&key=GRP&app=resvlink DO WE NEED TO WEAR MASKS? Guests are NOT required to wear masks to outdoor events. Per current Santa Clara County and CDC guidelines, unvaccinated guests are encouraged to wear masks, except when you are actively eating or drinking. Santa Clara County and CDC COVID-19 Guidelines are subject to change. IS THE EVENT FOR ALL AGES? ALL ages are welcome to attend our event and there is truly something to enjoy whether you are old or young. CAN I TAKE PICTURES? Yes! We encourage all of our guests to take photos, post on social media and share their experience with family and friends! Follow us: Instagram: @Hunger_at_HomeSV Facebook: @HungerAtHomeSV Website: https://hungerathome.org Be sure to tag us! #BridgeTheGap2021 Like years past, we will also have a professional photographer snapping take home photos at the Step and Repeat Banner. IS SMOKING PERMITTED ON THE GROUNDS? No smoking is allowed in the event space. Smoking area is available on the San Carlos St. sidewalk. WHAT HAPPENS IF IT RAINS? The event will be held rain or shine. In case of rain, the event will be held indoors in the convention rooms adjacent to the outdoor plaza with the necessary protocols in place to keep everyone safe. HOW CAN I CONTACT THE ORGANIZER WITH ANY QUESTIONS? Please contact [email protected] with any questions. TICKET FAQs HOW MUCH ARE TICKETS? Tickets to the Hunger at Home Bridge the Gap Gala – Outdoor Edition are $150 per person. The ticket includes entrance to the event and chef-inspired food offerings, notable wine, spirits, craft beer, nonalcoholic beverages & water and live entertainment. CAN I BUY TICKETS AT THE ENTRANCE? No. Tickets must be purchased in advance and will not be available at the door. ARE TICKETS REFUNDABLE? All tickets are non-refundable. DO I HAVE TO BRING MY TICKET TO THE EVENT? For expedited entry, please have your digital ticket ready for scanning on your smartphone. Or, you can bring a printed copy of your ticket to be scanned. IS IT OK IF THE NAME ON MY TICKET OR REGISTRATION DOESN'T MATCH THE PERSON WHO ATTENDS? Yes. Each ticket allows one person to enter, so you can buy tickets for your family or friends or give away your ticket if you are unable to attend. COVID-19 WARNING We have taken enhanced health and safety measures – for you and our event staff. Even so, there is still an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 in any public places where people are present. By attending the Bridge the Gap Gala – Outdoor Edition, you voluntarily assume all risks related to any exposure to COVID-19 and therefore release Hunger at Home of all related liability. Each day in Silicon Valley, tens of thousands of pounds of excess food and surplus goods are dumped in our landfills and go to waste. In a Valley where one in three people experience food insecurity, Hunger at Home was created to connect the food and goods with those in need. Hunger at Home partners with local convention centers, hotels, and sports stadiums to collect excess food and goods to distribute to the hungry and homeless through a robust nonprofit network. To date, Hunger at Home has donated 9 million meals locally and helped distribute much needed items like towels, blankets, kitchen items, and hygiene kits. Hunger at Home also helps the clients of its nonprofit partners with job training and placement in the very businesses that donate excess food.