Impromptu picnic lunch benefits Reaching Heights

The vacant lot at Lee and Meadowbrook roads was the site of an unusual fundraiser on Sept. 13. Reaching Heights, a nonprofit that supports Heights public schools, was the latest beneficiary of Marigold Catering’s Renegade Lunch Project, a fundraiser that combines a delicious multi-course meal with a bit of street theater.

Lisa Hunt, a program associate at Reaching Heights, also works with Marigold Catering. She brought the two organizations together and organized the back-to-school themed lunch, complete with vintage lunch boxes borrowed from Steve Presser, owner of Big Fun.

“We’ve been doing this every month for the last two years,” said Joan Rosenthal, owner of Marigold Catering and a Cleveland Heights resident, “It’s our way of giving back to the community. We choose a smaller, grass roots charity that needs some publicity and a high-traffic area to make a statement.” Past beneficiaries have included the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, the Aids Task Force and the Cleveland Foodbank.

“The event was a lot of fun, and we met both our fundraising and friendraising goals,” said Patrick Mullen, executive director of Reaching Heights. The event raised more than $1,800 for the organization.