(NEW YORK) It’s not every event that gets to list Casey Affleck, Mario Batali, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Liv Tyler as co-chairs, but when the Lunchbox Fund comes calling, who could say no? This week they had their 2013 Fall Fête at Buddakan to raise funds for the charity that provides the only guaranteed meal of the day to orphaned, abused, and at-risk students in rural South Africa townships. “Without the energy to continue and grow and be something, you have no chance of thriving,” Batali toldThe Daily. “Hunger relief is the most fundamental thing.”
The organization was also celebrating the launch of their Feedie App, the first-ever philanthropy app for foodies, that’s already become a part of the chef’s life. “It takes something that sometimes I consider slightly ugly, our self obsession with taking photographs and sending it to all of our friends, and turns it on its ear to be something better, which is funding The Lunchbox Fund.” David Blaine, Billy Crudup, Genevieve Bahrenburg, Curtis Kulig, Mickey Sumner, Salman Rushdie, Summer and Rain Phoenix, Dustin Yellin, Tara Donovan, Mick Rock, Julie Macklowe, Chuck Close, Michael Stipe, Lisa Raden, Liz Vap, Bianca Bianconi, and Elettra Wiedemann were a few of the big names we spotted helping them raise an impressive $300,000. We were curious as to what founder Topaz Page Green had for lunch every day herself. “Sometimes I forget to eat lunch!” she told us. “I’m better at looking after others than I am looking after myself. I do love a tofu sandwich, believe it or not! I’m a nerd that way.”
The night was emceed by comedian Seth Herzog and included a performance by Emily King, plus a Moet & Chandon champagne toast from Buddakan’s owner Stephen Starr (who we hear donated the food and staff for the event) announcing that Starr Restaurants will sign on as the parner of the app nationwide. Guests bid on art in a silent auction from artists including Jim Dine, Dustin Yellin, Mick Rock & Lou Reed, Alan Cumming, and Tara Donovan. Live auction items included a private dinner at Joaquin Phoenix’s Los Angeles home, featuring a bespoke menu by Batali that went for $32,000. Now that’s a lot of lunchboxes…
EDDIE ROCHE
