Guilty Pleasures No More
by Celia Sin-Tien Cheng
March 13, 2007
Here are two extremely worthwhile causes that I urge everyone to participate in: Tap Project and graffiti bars. We can’t live without water and many of us can’t stop craving chocolate. Now there’s the chance to indulge in both and feel good about it.
Next Thursday, March 22, 2007 — which, by the way, is World Water Day — the Tap Project invites patrons of participating New York City restaurants to donate $1 for the tap water that is usually served for free. We are lucky: In New York City, tap water is more stringently monitored than bottled water. But not everyone is fortunate enough to have access to clean drinking water. The Tap Project, an initiative to support UNICEF water programs, will help provide safe drinking water to children around the world. Check out the list of participating restaurants and make an effort to dine at one of these restaurants that day. Those outside of New York City can also help by making a donation online. It’s easy! You can enjoy a meal and do good by contributing just one dollar.
Water is a necessity, but chocolates are clearly an indulgence. Alison Nelson of Chocolate Bar helps soothe the guilt by combining chocolate with good causes that support children’s arts education in New York City.
Nelson’s latest series (see image at the top of the page), the graffiti bars, launched last week. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the All Stars Project, a non-profit organization that produces after-school performing arts and leadership training programs for inner-city youth. Ten legendary New York City graffiti artists — Blade, Crash, Crachee, Crime 79, Dondi, Dr. Revolt, Iz the Wiz, Lady Pink, Spar One and Voice of the Ghetto — have already showed their support by designing the candy wrappers for the new line of chocolate bars. New flavors include Smores, Cookies-n-Cream, Dark Toffee Crunch, Banana Milk and Dark Rum. The bars are sold individually ($4 each) or as a collection ($40 for the gallery box). For every bar sold, $1 will go to The All Stars Project. Indulge your sweet tooth and help deserving kids at the same time by supporting this awesome project. Guilty pleasures no more!
