~It's Christmas Time on the Seacoast~

We are thrilled with the outpouring of support H(EAT) received at the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra Holiday Pops Concert last week.  People were truly in the holiday spirit - PSO raised $168 in donations made by their generous patrons, and H(EAT) is incredibly grateful to all who gave!

We also want to thank our locally-minded friends at Veris! A donation of $500 was made in the name of Veris Wealth Partners employees and clients this week - just in time for the holidays!

This time of year, it's important time to think of your neighbors in need...but remember what E.B. White said:
"Somehow, not only for Christmas, but all the long year through, the joy that you give to others, is the joy that comes back to you".

Have a wonderful new year!

Treehouse Toys supports H(EAT)!

November 12th marked the second annual Neighborhood Toy Store Day, celebrated by locally owned toy stores from coast to coast.  This year, Portsmouth's Treehouse Toys generously donated 10% of the day's sales to H(EAT). We thank them for their gift of $290 toward food and fuel assistance - you should stop by and thank them too!

A special thanks to our Seacoast Local Business Member, Piscataqua Savings Bank!

Piscataqua Saving's Bank proudly donated $1,250 to this year's Seacoast Local H(EAT) Campaign  - with a special request that their funds be allocated to the fuel assistance program. With the heating season upon us, the bank recognizes the need to support those struggling to heat their homes. As Portsmouth's Local Bank, Piscataqua Savings is an avid supporter of Seacoast Local and it's mission to showcase the important role that local independent businesses play in providing charitable support in our community, year-round. Next year, Piscataqua Savings Bank will celebrate its 135th year as a cornerstone in the Portsmouth community, and we thank them for their dedication to help maintain a robust local economy.

Upcoming H(EAT) Events...

Tickets on Sale now for Skyler and The Band of Thieves at The Music Hall Loft to support H(EAT) on January 21st st 8pm!

Skyler has been bouncing between Maine and Nashville for six months now, and is finally in the seacoast area long enough to play a hometown show! With his band, The Band of Thieves, featuring the Scharff Brothers, Sklyer will be appearing on January 21st at The Music Hall Loft, raising money for Seacoast Local's H(EAT) Campaign. Skyler will be donating 100% of the proceeds to this worth cause. Come out, enjoy some great music and show your support!

Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 day of the show. With a Student ID, tickets are $8 in advance and $10 the day of the show.  Buy your tickets here: http://www.themusichall.org/calendar/event/skyler

AND

This Wednesday, December 21st, Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra will play its annual Family Holiday Pops Concert at The Music Hall in Portsmouth! They will be collecting donations for H(EAT) and suggest patrons give what they can!  

H(EAT) in the News...and Skyler!!

We are almost a month into this year's H(EAT) Campaign and things are rolling along!  We are still (and always) looking for individuals and businesses to get involved and help us reach our goal - it takes a village!

Mark your calendars for Saturday, January 21st when local favorite, Skyler, will perform a H(EAT) benefit at The Music Hall Loft at 5pm & 8pm. Tickets go on sale December 15th at The Music Hall for $12/$15.  Come hear a fantastic local talent and support our cause...win/win!
Check out Skyler's Seacoast Online feature: http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20111201-ENTERTAIN-112010404.


Plus - This week we were featured in Foster's Daily Democrat:
"This campaign is a chance for us to remind the public of the very important work that Seacoast Local does. It's going to be a very cold winter with less government assistance than last year. People are going to need lots of help." - Read More:
http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20111210/GJBUSINESS_01/712109985/-1/FOSNEWS

Our neighbors need food assistance during the holidays...and all year.

"This year we are hearing that the need of struggling families for food assistance is greater than at any time in recent memory."

Read More at Seacoast Eat Local:

http://seacoasteatlocal.org/2011/11/not-taking-food-for-granted/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=not-taking-food-for-granted

Kick-It!

It’s time to kick-off the 2011-2012 Seacoast Local H(EAT) Campaign! We are celebrating the start of the fourth year of this campaign with, of course, a party! Join us on Friday, December 2^nd at 6pm, upstairs at the Press Room, to get more information about this year’s events, pick up a poster or collection jar for your business, learn about volunteering, or just show your support for the cause!

We look forward to another winter of local businesses working together to raise money for food and fuel assistance for our seacoast neighbors.

If you can’t make it, but still want to help out, contact us at info@heat-eat.org – we’d love to have you!

On October 22nd, The Roundabout Diner in Portsmouth will host a Halloween Party!! A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the (H)EAT Campaign.

The party will be a 50's Costume theme in the Roundabout Function Room, with a live (or undead?) DJ spinning spooky tunes. $20 gets you great appetizers, complimentary boo-tini and a chance to win $500 for the best costume.

For more information call The Roundabout at 603-431-1440

(H)EAT Begins Again!

It's time to begin the 2011-2012 Seacoast Local (H)EAT Campaign!

Once again, local businesses will be pulling together to raise money for food and fuel assistance on the Seacoast. Our Goal? Ten Thousand Meals and Ten Thousand Gallons.

The (H)EAT Committee is an all-volunteer organization and we could use your help too. Please contact us at info@heat-eat.org to get involved.

And thanks!

Celebrate the Arts and the Community!

WHO! Portsmouth Middle School Arts Students, parents, Seacoast Local Businesses, community stakeholders, and YOU!

WHAT! A celebration of the Arts and the Community

WHEN! March, 14^th, 2011

WHERE! RiverRun Bookstore, 20 Congress Street, Portsmouth, NH

TIME! 6:30- 8

Come join us for a celebration of the wrap up of (H)EAT and (H)ART. The third annual Seacoast Local campaign was able to raise over $24,000 and help over 10 families with home heating oil, thanks to our member donors Lamprey Brothers and D.F. Richards, as well as countless other Seacoast Local businesses, including Me & Ollies, Philbrick’s Fresh Market, Runner’s Alley, Treehouse Toys.

(H)ART, led by middle school art teacher Anna Nuttall,, had over 30 middle school art student participants who created amazing posters, now hanging in local businesses downtown, that draw the public’s attention to the need for food and fuel on the local level.

Come on out on Monday and show some love and support for our young local artists and local philanthropy.

Bring a canned good, purchase some (H)EAT swag! Spring isn’t here yet, and there continue to be families in need of food and fuel on the Seacoast.

(H)ART and (H)EAT Unite!

The posters have arrived and they are awesome!

(H)ART has been a new addition to the (H)EAT campaign this year. Working with Art- Speak, the City of Portsmouth’s Cultural Commission, Portsmouth Middle School art students learned and explored the Seacoast’s own need for food and fuel and then developed a visual campaign that both educated and engaged the public on this local need.

Over the past few months the 6th and 7th graders Portsmouth Middle School's Art students, taught by Anna Nuttell, had visits from the Seacoast Family Food Pantry and Shannon Hill to learn about food and fuel. The students each created a drawing, or visual representation of the messages of (H)EAT. Elise Weeks and Megan Keogh, of Pixels and Pulp, worked with the students in creating and printing the poster.

Here is a peak at some of the posters around Portsmouth. They are a total of 30 so be sure to check them all out!

By: Eddie (7th Grade) at Serendipity By: Emily (6th Grade) at RiverRun Bookstore

By: Cam (7th Grade) at Dos Amigos

By: Olivia (7th Grade) at Me & Ollie's

Many thanks to the amazing Anna Nuttell, art teacher extraordinaire and head gal of (H)ART, Elise and Megan of Pixels and Pulp, the creative and talented, 6th and 7th graders of Portsmouth Middle school, Seacoast Family Food Pantry, Shannon Hill, Art-Speak, and the local Portsmouth businesses for giving these posters a home.

Where to find each poster:

Worldly Goods, 37 Congress St, Olde Port Property,26 Congress St, Saunder’s Fish Market, 367 Marcy St, Piscataqua Savings Bank,15 Pleasant St,Eyelook Optical, 7 Congress St, Flower Kiosk, 61 Market St, Prelude, 65 Market Street, Me & Ollies Bakery and Café, 10 Pleasant Street (Market Square), Poco’s Bow Street Cantina, 37 Bow Street, Main-ly New Hampshire,22 Deer St., Nahcotta, 110 Congress St.,RiverRun Bookstore, 20 Congress St, Portsmouth Candle Co,62 Congress St, Good Vibes, 16 Congress St, Runner’s Alley,104 Congress St,Portsmouth Health Food,151 Congress St, Paradiza, 63 Penhallow St, Ceres Bakery, 51 Penhallow St, Dos Amigos Burritos, 107 State St, Le Club Boutique,41 Vaughan Mall(one for each entrance),Water Monkey,33 Vaughn Mall,Serendipity,41 Pleasant St,Jane Gee Natural Beauty Care,10 Ladd St,G. Williker! Toy Shop,13 Market St,Treehouse Toys,147 Market St, Portsmouth Brewery,56 Market Street,Tulips,19 Market St,Three Graces,105 Market St,Somnia,107 Congress St

Yoga Mala In Pictures

A week has passed, my hamstings have recovered..and Yoga Mala was a huge and amazing success!!

The Portsmouth Harbor and Conference Center was a great location and the room was packed by the time I got there.

There were some (H)ART posters on display, thanks to Anna Nuttell and the middle school art students. They looked great and hopefully will be on display around town this week.

One last dash of water and we were off on our 108 Sun Salutation journey.

Time really flew and it was amazing how the energy and everyone in the room came together. Every 10 to 12 sun salutations we were given a thought about hunger and fuel needs which just reaffirmed why we were here, participating in the Yoga Mala and raising money for (H)EAT.

And with a total of $7,000 raised and counting thank you thank you thank to everyone who helped organized and participated in this event for (H)EAT!!

Upcoming Events!

The 3rd Annual Yoga Mala to benefit (H)EAT is this Sunday!

What is this you ask?...

Yoga Mala joins 13 local yoga studios and the yoga community in a three class of 108 Sun Salutations and meditation.

When: Sunday, February 6^th, 2011 9am to Noon

Where: Portsmouth Harbor Events and Conference Center. 100 Deer St, Portsmouth, NH

How: $20 pre-registered, $25 at the door. Participants are asked to collect pledges in addition to class fee. All proceeds go to benefit (H)EAT.

You can pre-register with your studio, or contact erin@yogaonthehillkittery.com. This year the thirteen participating studios will be offering a prize for the biggest fundraiser for the event: three months of free unlimited yoga at the hosting studios!

There are many ways you can participate, even if you can not attend the actual Yoga Mala event, including emailing Erin to be paired with someone to sponsor.

Shannon McGauley is a yoga teacher who teaches a few days at Yoga East. She is not able to make Yoga Mala this year, but instead will be holding a class this Sunday at her home studio and donating all the money raised that day to (H)EAT!

Big or small contributions; ever little bit helps and it is amazing to see the community come together for this event and the (H)EAT campaign.

Erin Ethers, of Yoga on the Hill in Kittery, ME, and coordinator of Yoga Mala this year says it perfectly:

"Winter can feel harsh and depleting to all of us...but imagine you could not buy groceries or pay for heat. You may have never faced those problems in your own life, but many people in our community do, every winter. We gather as a community to contribute as a group, in a way we cannot contribute as individuals. I doubt any one of us could easily donate $7,000, but that is how much we raised last year. We did this by simply attending a fun class and asking our friends to support us."

$10,000 and Counting!

The (H)EAT Campaign has raised over $10,000!

See official press release here.

With the campaign half-way over many thanks go out to all of those who are working to make (H)EAT’s goal of raising enough donations to fund 10,000 meals and 10,000 gallons of home heating oil possible. Thank you to Seacoast Local business members Me & Ollies Bakery and Cafe, Philbrick’s Fresh Market, Portsmouth Candle Company, RiverRun Bookstore, SecondRun Bookstore, Runner’s Alley, Treehouse Toys, The Wire, and Yoga East who each have been a huge support to the campaign; hosting collection canisters, food drives and donating funds. And thank you to local businesses D.F. Richard Energy and Lamprey Brothers who have been hard at work providing oil assistance.

Seacoast community members have also played a significant part in raising funds for the (H)EAT Campaign. Thank you to Bruce Pingree and the Press Room for hosting (H)EAT tables at local music nights. Thank you to Michelle Moon, Steve Johnson, and The Red Door for producing A Winters Tale Series. Thank you to Erin Ehlers of Yoga on the Hill and the yoga community for putting on Yoga Mala. And of course, thank you to all who have sent in donations.

We still have two months so we need your help!

If you are interested in volunteering or have a fun, exciting idea for an event you can reach us at info@heat-eat.org.

Yoga Mala Returns!

Get out your yoga mats and join the Seacoast yoga community in a downward facing dog, as the third annual Yoga Mala returns February 6th! Be prepared to unite with 13 local yoga studios in a three hour class of 108 Sun Salutations and meditation to benefit (H)EAT!

Information as follows:

What: Third Annual Yoga Mala to Benefit (H)EAT

When: Sunday, February 6^th, 2011 9am to Noon

Where: Portsmouth Harbor Events and Conference Center. 100 Deer St, Portsmouth, NH

How: $20 pre-registered, $25 at the door. Participants are asked to collect pledges in addition to class fee. All proceeds to benefit (H)EAT

Register with your studio, or contact erin@yogaonthehillkittery.com

Can't make this event, but still want to help? Contact Erin (erin@yogaonthehillkittery.com) to be paired with someone to sponsor!

Storytellers and listeners of the Seacoast Unite!

The (H)EAT Campaign is in full swing. So much do! So many things to be excited for!

We are thrilled to announce a Winter's Tale returns! Join us January 23rd, 2011 for the first of three nights at The Red Door Lounge and Martini Bar, 107 State Street from 7pm to 9pm for a storytelling event that brings our creative community together.

A Winter's Tale is produced by Steve Johnson and Michelle Moon and co-sponsored by RiverRun Bookstore and the Wire and the format is simple: on each night, eight people stand before the crowd, one by one, and tell a true tale from their own lives, depending only on their memories. This month story tellers will reflect on "Starting Over".

This year advance ticketing will be available through RiverRun Bookstore beginning January 10. Tickets are $8 apiece and guarantee entry, but seating is limited; guests are encouraged to arrive early to stake out a good listening spot. Tickets will also be sold at the door the evening of the event, as long as space allows.

All proceeds from admission fees will be donated to the (H)EAT Campaign and the SCOOP Program of the Blue Ocean Society, inspiring passion in people to protect local beaches and conserve the marine environment.

For more information visit A Winter's Tale Facebook page.

Actually, we're just getting started.

The (H)EAT Campaign lasts from Thanksgiving all the way through to March 1st, so there is still plenty of opportunity to get involved. As this Herald article highlights, food pantries get a lot of help at the holidays, but then donations get scarce in January, February, and March.

Please make a donation, or contact us for ways to volunteer. We have lots happening in the next two months.