All Benefits to Support International Mission of Ending Hunger, Poverty and Lack of Education in US and Abroad
**Portions of Funding Raised Will Be Earmarked for Urgent Afghan Refugee Relief**
San Francisco, CA, August 31, 2021 — Moms Against Poverty (MAP) a global NGO that has proudly provided humanitarian aid to over two million children in sixteen countries over the course of thirteen years, will host its 14th Annual Garden Gala on Oct 2nd, 2021. Held in the historic gardens of the Filoli House in the hills of Woodland, CA, the Garden Gala is MAP’s premiere benefit event to raise funds for the construction of schools while empowering children and underprivileged communities through aid programs that foster self-reliance.
This year’s fundraising efforts carry a particularly urgent significance. With the rapid takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban, tens of thousands of Afghan refugees are flooding to the border of Iran looking for safety, as well as fleeing to the United States. Moms Against Poverty is earmarking some of the funds to be raised at the Garden Gala for immediate food, medical, and educational aid for Afghan families joining camps in Iran, working with its affiliated NGO on the ground as well as US efforts. This provides the local community with a direct way to help during this evolving crisis. MAP is one of the few global organizations with a viable channel to provide humanitarian funding support in Iran, and has partnered with Afghan charities since 2008.
MAP CEO Delfarib Fanaie speaks with FOX2 Bay Area about the situation at the Afghanistan / Iran border following the Taliban takeover and MAP’s aid efforts in the region.
The Garden Gala’s evening under the stars will shine a bit more brightly with the additions of hosts Ella Sogomonian (KRON4 anchor) and Dr. Niaz Kasravi, and celebrities including Oscar-nominated actress Shohreh Aghdashloo (House of Sand and Fog), Nicole Cox, CBS’ Amazing Race winners BJ Averell and Tyler MacNiven, Navid Negahban (Disney’s Aladdin), Bobak Bakhtiari (Homeland, Silicon Valley) and Houshang Touzie (Madame Secretary). There will also be live entertainment including Gypsy Tribe, guitarist and vocalist Marcelo Puig, international pianist Faranak Shahroozi, tango dancer Sabine Blyth, Harpist Kristin Lloyd and multiple DJs. The event will also feature a live auction with donated prizes including a classic and authenticated 1964 Porsche 356C, and casino night.
Proceeds from the event and sponsorships will fund MAP’s domestic and international initiatives. Domestically, from 2020-2021, MAP has provided much-needed support to over 200,000 children and their families in California, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington D.C. This support included over 250,000 lbs. of food, thousands of hygiene essential items and kits, blankets and hundreds of laptops, tablets, headsets, educational resources, and gift cards and toys. Donors for the event may earmark which projects they would like their support to fund. With the Delta Variant still greatly impacting family economies and food security, Moms Against Poverty is combating the COVID crisis in many sectors, providing tens of thousands of meals, hygiene and other supplies in the US and abroad.
“We find that our mission has become even more urgent, and with new challenges from the evolving impacts of disease and political uncertainty,” said Delfarib Fanaie, Founder & CEO of Moms Against Poverty. “We hope this safe, outdoor gathering will provide a welcome chance to socialize once again while bringing attention and funds for the most impoverished, at-risk and desperate children.”
ShopAtMAP at the Garden Gala
A newly created facet by founders of MAP to further its mission and support impoverished and at-risk women and children is ShopatMap.org. ShopAtMap emphasizes sustainable conscious consumerism by sourced goods and designed jewelry, bags, shawls and other items created by regional artisans in the communities MAP helps. In this way the artisans and communities are directly financed, while supporters are also aiding MAP’s overall mission.
Suggested Twitter / Social Copy:
@MapWorldwide is hosting an evening of entertainment under the stars of the Bay Area to raise funds for Afghan refugees and critical hunger relief work happening on the ground around the world right now. https://momsagainstpoverty.org/14th-annual-fundraising-gala-sf-2021/ #poverty #hunger #Afghanistan
Social Channels
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MomsAgainstPoverty
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MAPworldwide
ShopatMAP Twitter: https://twitter.com/shopatmap
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momsagainstpoverty
Youtube Gala Video:
About Moms Against Poverty
Moms Against Poverty (MAP) is an international charitable organization that builds schools while empowering children and underprivileged communities through programs that foster self-reliance. MAP has impacted the lives of over two million people in sixteen countries since 2008 through its 4 core programs: Education, Hunger Relief, Orphan Care, and Wellness. Since 2010, MAP has an NGO arm in Iran with a valid OFAC license to conduct humanitarian projects there, and is one of two organizations with a viable banking channel to Iran. www.momsagainstpoverty.com
Media Contact:
Brian McWilliams / Spelling Communications
310-838-4010 / [email protected]
