Here’s What to Do:

1. Attend 1 Ambassador training session
2. In the weeks before the event, call or visit the location where you’ll be stationed on event day. This is your chance to build a rapport with their staff. Introduce yourself and let them know you’ll be back to help with the fundraiser on Dec. 5.  Look around and make sure they are using their promotional materials. Ask if they have any questions or need anything else from us. If you don’t know the answer to one of their questions, let them know that you’ll find out, and contact our event team at DOFL@FFTfoodbank.org.
3. Tell everyone about the event. Reach out to your friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, congregation, school groups, and more, and invite them to mark their calendars for December 5, 2024. Bring it up in conversation or call folks. Let them know the event date, the establishment you’ll be working at, what time to come, and encourage reservations! If they’re not interested in dining in person, invite them to order take-out or wine online from one of the participating businesses. If they live too far away to get involved in the event, they can still support the cause by donating online!
   • • Text the event details. Copy & paste one of these messages and send it to your contacts: Save the date! I’ll be an ambassador this year: (Facebook Event Link)Please join me at my restaurant on Dec 5!  (Facebook event link)

       If they want more details, you can send them here: https://www.fftfoodbank.org/dining-out-for-life Check out this PDF for inspiration. [Ideas-for-Inviting-Friends-via-Email-tean.pdf]

       Shout it out on social media. RSVP to our event on Facebook, then, share and invite your friends!

       For details on how to do this, download this PDF Ideas-for-Inviting-Friends-On-Social-Media-xesf.pdf]

       Follow Food For Thought on social media in order to easily share our posts about DOFL:

       (Icons for IG, FB, etc)

WEAR your DOFL name tag, red ribbon, and apron.

BRING your ambassador supply bag with you.

ARRIVE at your location on time.

RE-INTRODUCE yourself to the staff at your location. Ask them to identify an appropriate spot for you to sit and place your materials. Make sure to thank them again for their generosity for this event!

RELAX AND DIVE RIGHT IN! Approaching tables is challenging, but allow yourself to breathe and just be yourself. Approach tables once patrons have had a chance to order, but haven’t received their meal. You’ll want to keep your visit to each table about 1-2 mins max.

TALKING POINTS: You represent FFT, and patrons are already supporting just by being there today, since the business is donating a percentage of their sales. How amazing!

As a thank you, you’re giving them the opportunity to enter a raffle to win some amazing prizes. If they wish, they could donate as well. The QR codes on the envelopes allow them to donate instantly through Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and Venmo AND they’ll be entered automatically to the raffle.

This year, we are celebrating 35 years of service to Sonoma County! Anyone who gives $35 or more gets an additional entry into the raffle and automatically wins a 20% off Tuesdays card which they’ll receive in Jan if they include their mailing address with their donation! On top of that, if their donation is done through the QR Code online, they get a third entry into the raffle!

Ask if they have any questions. Thank them again for supporting FFT.

ANSWER any questions diners may have

LEAVE DONATION ENVELOPES AND PENS on their table for them to fill out or scan the code while they enjoy their meal.

COLLECT DONATION ENVELOPES from each table before it is reset by the restaurant. Place completed envelopes in the large 10” x 13” envelope provided in your ambassador bag. Please see the script for more inspiration on approaching tables

FILL OUT the survey that can be found in the large envelope in your supply bag, or fill out the online here. Once filled out, place back into the large envelope.

GATHER all completed donation envelopes from the shift and seal them into the large envelope with the completed survey.

RETURN the DOFL apron, pens, large envelope and remaining supplies into your ambassador bag. Please do not include trash or personal items in the bag.

DROP OFF your bag with your FFT Drop Off Point Of Contact. Make sure to call or text them if you are running late or cannot find them.

IMPORTANT: Each ambassador bag and its contents must be returned by end of day on December 5!

Individuals near and far are invited to donate to this event until December 13, 2024!

Donate Online

• Donations can be made( Classy Link) here. All DOFL print material will include a QR code that points to our donations.
• Available Payment methods online:
  • Apple Pay
  • Google Pay
  • PayPal
  • Venmo
  • Credit Card

Donate by Phone

• Call Michelle at (707) 887-1647 ext. 122
• Donation Payment Methods by phone:
  • Credit Card

Donate by Mail

• Respond to the Dining Guide Mailing by sending a check in the provided envelope to Food For Thought. Otherwise, simply write a check out to Food For Thought, include “DOFL” in the memo and send to: Food For Thought, 6550 Railroad Ave., Forestville, CA 95436
  • Donation Payment Methods by mail:
    • Check
    • Credit Card

Donate during the event

• Patrons can donate with cash, check, or a credit card, using the provided donation envelopes at each participating location
• Available Payment methods during the event or online:
  • Cash
  • Check
  • Apple Pay
  • Google Pay
  • PayPal
  • Venmo
  • Credit Card

Anyone that donates during the event will be entered into the Dining Out For Life raffle. The raffle provides an exciting incentive to donate, so make sure to talk with your diners about it! Individuals do not have to donate to enter the raffle. They may simply fill out their information on an empty donation envelope and submit it at their table or mail it to Food For Thought, 6550 Railroad Ave., Forestville, CA 95436.

Must be 18 or over to enter the raffle. Winners will be informed no later than January 12, 2024.

RAFFLE PRIZE #1 $1000 shopping spree at Oliver’s Market

RAFFLE PRIZE #2 Culinary Experiences Package (TBD)

RAFFLE PRIZE #3 Dine Around Sonoma County (gift certificates to restaurants around the county, TBD)

Anyone who donates $35 or more will receive a 20% off Tuesdays card to use at participating locations in 2025. They must donate by Dec 13, 2024 and include their mailing information with their donation. After the event, eligible donors will receive the the card in the mail to use at the participating locations throughout Sonoma County during the following year. Offer is good for groups of up to six diners. Excludes alcohol and holidays, and cannot be combined with other offers or discounts. Please show the card when placing order.

Participating 20% off Tuesdays locations in 2025: TBD

Super Ambassadors are in-person ambassadors that personally offer a special prize and drawing that will be an incentive for only the patrons of their restaurant and shift. The Super Ambassador chooses the minimum donation amount to become eligible to win, and usually the minimum donation amount is $50 or more.

For example, Joe Smith is a Super Ambassador at The Bar & Grill for the dinner shift. Joe has a vacation rental and is offering a 2-night stay for anyone who donates $100 or more during his shift. Joe increases his total donation amounts for the night because he is able to tell everyone that if they donate $100 or more, they not only will receive a 20% off Tuesdays card in the mail, and will be eligible to win the main DOFL raffle, but on top of that, they will be eligible to win a drawing amongst the patrons at The Bar &  Grill during the dinner shift for a 2-night stay at the vacation rental.

If you choose to offer a prize and become a Super Ambassador, please let us know  before the event so we can make sure to be ready to pick your winning donor after the event! Before December 5, please email Michelle Gleed MichelleG@FFTfoodbank.org with the details of your prize offering and the minimum donation necessary to become eligible to win the drawing.