In 1982, a handful of New Yorkers began using a station wagon to pick up unused food from a local restaurant and deliver it to a nearby soup kitchen. Twenty-five years later, City Harvest, the organization spawned by that civic-minded activism, now helps feed more than 260,000 people each week by rescuing unused food from all segments of the culinary industry and delivering it to community programs throughout the five boroughs. (In 2006, City Harvest rescued its 200 millionth pound of food.)The nonprofit celebrated the quarter-century milestone on April 18 at Cipriani 42nd Street with the 13th annual Practical Magic ball, which takes its name from the “practical magic” of connecting those without food to those who have an excess of it. As many as 650 supporters of the organization turned out to salute City Harvest and the night’s honoree, former board chairman Tom Guba. Cook and food personality Rachael Ray acted as the night’s host.
Designer Ed Libby drew inspiration from the ball’s invite, which featured a pairing of the traditional 25th anniversary color (silver) and pink, as well as a graphic scroll motif. On-site, that translated to a trio of large floral-enhanced globes in Cipriani’s foyer, accented by silver gazing balls (a nod, Libby explained, to reflecting on City Harvest’s history).
At the back of the venue, a large screen displayed images of City Harvest personnel as well as text noting landmark events in the organization’s history and statistics demonstrating the nonprofit’s impact on the community.
City Harvest executive director Jilly Stephens described the ball as a classic New York event, saying, “It’s full of New Yorkers helping other New Yorkers, and that’s always been the essence of City Harvest.”
—Mimi O’Connor
Photos: Courtesy Ed Libby & Company Inc (tabletop overview), BizBash
Designer Ed Libby drew inspiration from the ball’s invite, which featured a pairing of the traditional 25th anniversary color (silver) and pink, as well as a graphic scroll motif. On-site, that translated to a trio of large floral-enhanced globes in Cipriani’s foyer, accented by silver gazing balls (a nod, Libby explained, to reflecting on City Harvest’s history).
At the back of the venue, a large screen displayed images of City Harvest personnel as well as text noting landmark events in the organization’s history and statistics demonstrating the nonprofit’s impact on the community.
City Harvest executive director Jilly Stephens described the ball as a classic New York event, saying, “It’s full of New Yorkers helping other New Yorkers, and that’s always been the essence of City Harvest.”
—Mimi O’Connor
Photos: Courtesy Ed Libby & Company Inc (tabletop overview), BizBash
On tabletops, designer Ed Libby’s spherical motif took the form of globes of fuchsia roses as centerpieces.
Libby’s floral spheres dominated Cipriani’s foyer.
Fifteen-foot-tall floral chandeliers, originally spotted by City Harvest planners at Beyoncé Knowles’s 2005 Wall Street Rising show, incorporated roses and hydrangeas as well as strands of individually strung orchids and tiny mirrors. The mirrors reflected small spots of light onto the walls of Cipriani’s vast main hall.
A profusion of spring blooms, including tulips, roses, and cherry blossoms, towered over attendees in the cocktail reception area.
In another nod to City Harvest’s 25th anniversary and the event’s signature colors, tabletop arrangements incorporated glass boxes filled with silver beads, pink candles, and pink votives, as well as silver organza tablecloths embroidered with fuchsia flowers and silver vines.
