A night out at the theatre became an opportunity to nourish neighbors across the Midcoast when The Waldo Theatre partnered with Veggies to Table during its June production of “Don’t Dress for Dinner.” Through a silent auction and raffles held across the production’s four performances, the community raised $2,530 for Veggies to Table, supporting the nonprofit farm’s work to grow and donate organic produce and flowers to people experiencing hunger and needing joy.

The partnership brought together two Midcoast nonprofits rooted in community. Theatre guests had the opportunity to bid on merchandise, handcrafted goods, and unique experiences generously donated by local businesses, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting Veggies to Table.

The auction featured a winner at each performance: Bailey Bartlett of Westport Island, Patty Hammar of Waldoboro, Kevin Junior of Phoenix, Arizona, and Steve Bolster of Pemaquid, a longtime Veggies to Table volunteer and supporter.

Sarah Herndon of Round Pond, owner of Granite Hall Store, won the Grand Prize: “The Screen is Yours at The Waldo Theatre.” The prize gives Herndon the opportunity to choose a film to be screened in The Waldo’s historic theater and invite up to 50 guests!

For Bailey Bartlett, learning more about Veggies to Table’s work left a lasting impression.

“I’ve been telling everyone I’ve come into contact with since Saturday about your organization. It really spoke to me,” said Bartlett. “I have two children myself, and the thought of them going hungry truly made my heart hurt. Knowing that one in five children experiences food insecurity made me double clutch. The fact that you encompass the full health of a person–not just feeding bodies, but feeding souls with flowers–I suppose you helped restore some faith in the world and our community. People care. People are good.”

This partnership demonstrated how a joyful evening out can ripple far beyond the theatre.

“Community is at the heart of everything we do, and this collaboration with The Waldo Theatre was such a beautiful example of what can happen when people come together around a shared desire to care for one another.” said Erica Berman, executive director of Veggies to Table.

“What a gift to introduce our audience to Veggies to Table's essential work," said Jeff Wiseman, executive director of The Waldo. "We're grateful to Erica and her team. The collaboration reminded us how connected we all are and how much stronger we all become when we unite and lift up each other's missions.”

Coming Up: To the Nines

Veggies to Table’s third annual summer gala and auction, To the Nines, returns Sunday, Aug. 9, with exceptional food, an open bar, and extraordinary live and silent auction prizes, all in support of its mission. The free, 100% online Silent Auction is open to anyone, near or far. Tickets, auction previews, and more are available at onecau.se/tothenines.