PHILADELPHIA -River Twice owner Amanda Rucker and Her Place Supper Club chef/owner Amanda Shulman have organized a culinary fundraiser they’re calling Pineapple Club Party – an event to raise money for abortion access – which will take place on the rooftop at Bok Bar on Sunday, September 18th from 2 to 5 p.m.
The fundraiser, which features dishes from many of the best chefs in Philadelphia, benefits the National Network of Abortion Funds and Abortion Liberation Fund of PA, with 100% of ticket sales being donated to the two causes committed to abortion access, bodily autonomy, and reproductive freedom. Tickets for the fundraiser cost $215 apiece and can be purchased at http://rivertwicerestaurant.com/pineappleclubparty. The rain or shine event will be moved to the Bok Building gymnasium, pending inclement weather. Bok Bar donated the space for the afternoon, and Rucker said they will cut off ticket sales at 200 people. Ticket entry includes all food and two complimentary drink tickets per person. Bok will have an additional cash bar with their own featured drinks, and 100% of proceeds from beverage sales from Vintage Imports, Bluecoat Gin, and Founders Brewing Co. are being donated to the two organizations.
"It's been amazing to watch our community stand up, use their voices, and donate their time and resources for such an important cause,” said Shulman. “This issue affects all of us – not just women – and we're doing whatever we can to protect our right to choose and support those who no longer have the privilege we do. I feel compelled to use the platform I have to speak up. Sitting on the sidelines isn't an option.”
Guests can enjoy food from the likes of Shulman, Randy Rucker (River Twice), Marc Vetri, Nok Suntaranon (Kalaya), Jesse Ito (Royal Sushi), Jezabel Careaga (Jezabel’s), Chad Williams (Friday, Saturday Sunday,), Shola Olunloyo (Studio Kitchen), Jake Rozenberg (Vetri Cucina), Eli Collins (a.kitchen), Melissa McGrath (Sweet Amalia Oyster Market), Andrew Henshaw (Laser Wolf), Khoran Horn (Guardhouse), Michael Ferreri (Irwin’s), Scott Hanson (North by Texas BBQ), Chance Anies (Tabachoy), Jen Carroll (Spice Finch), Jennifer Zavala (Juana Tamale), Cathy Peña (Fiore Fine Foods). Second Daughter Baking Co., and Milk Jawn.
In addition to the food, SNACKTIME and DJ Magglezzz will perform live music during the event, and there will be raffles, games, auctions, and more. Included in the auctions are a signed Philadelphia Eagles jersey, floor tickets to a Philadelphia 76ers game, a chef’s counter experience at Ari Miller’s Musi BYOB, a chef’s table experience at Scott Calhoun and Dave Feola’s Ember & Ash, bagel and bialy-making classes with Jacob and Alexandra Cohen of Kismet Bagels, and much more.
Several sponsors have generously donated their products for the chefs to use, including Primal Supply Meats, Samuels Seafood, Three Springs Fruit Farm, Regalis Foods, Green Meadow Farm, Black Diamond Caviar, Creations by Coppola, Sogno Toscano, Arway Linen, Brine Street Pickles, Vintage Imports, Bluecoat Gin, and Founders Brewing Co.
“I was inspired by Amanda Shulman’s initial push to organize restaurants for a city-wide donation effort back in July,” said Amanda Rucker. “Having all this anger and frustration with the current state of affairs – there must be some way to channel that into something good. We wanted to keep the donation efforts going, so we put our heads together with our staff, including Marissa Chirico (River Twice), and Juliana Bursack (Her Place), and the event plans took off from there. We hope this continues to build awareness and raise funds necessary to support these two amazing organizations as harmful legislation moves across the country.”
