NASSAU, BAHAMAS ? New Providence Development Company Limited and Old Fort Bay recently donated $10,000 to become the naming sponsor of Hands For Hunger?s first annual fundraiser - Paradise Plates.

The unique event, being held on Saturday, May 23rd from 7 ? 11 p.m. at the Atlantis Crown Ballroom, will feature a sampling of gourmet food, wine and live entertainment. Chefs from New Providence have been invited to prepare their signature dishes and wine merchants will also gather under the same roof to showcase their best. All proceeds will benefit Hands For Hunger the non-profit, humanitarian organization committed to the elimination of hunger and the reduction of food waste in The Bahamas.

?The New Providence Development Company and Old Fort Bay is pleased to sponsor Hands For Hunger on their inaugural fundraiser Paradise Plates,? said Rhys Duggan, President and CEO of New Providence Development Company Limited, the firm that developed Old Fort Bay. ?Hands For Hunger fulfills a real need on the island by providing food to those that need it most. We are also conscious of the fact that starting a fledgling non-profit is not a simple task. Their approach of using food that would otherwise go to waste makes so much sense and we wanted to support their efforts.?

?New Providence Development Company and Old Fort Bay?s generous donation will help to offset the costs of Paradise Plates,? said Georgina Webster, Director of Fundraising for Hands For Hunger. ?We are very grateful to them and our other sponsors for their generous support. Paradise Plates is receiving tremendous response from the public and we look forward to a memorable evening.?

To date, Chefs from a wide array of restaurants including: Mesa Grill; Nobu; Dune; British Colonial Hilton; Old Fort Bay Club; Lucianos; The Patisserie; Van Brugels; Balduccinos; Compass Point; Goodfellow Farms; Cacique; and Le Petit Gourmet have agreed to participate and showcase their extraordinary food.

Other sponsors include: Atlantis, Pearle Vision, Prime Advisory Group, The d?Albenas Agency Ltd., Royal Star Assurance, Sun Tee Embroid Me, Mendoza Wine Imports and Creative Relations.

All proceeds from Paradise Plates will go to Hands For Hunger and its food rescue programs. Each day, Hands For Hunger picks-up fresh, high quality food that would otherwise go to waste and delivers it to community centers, shelters, churches and soup kitchens throughout New Providence.

?Hunger is a solvable problem. It is a fact that there is more than enough food on this island to amply feed every single woman, man and child. Hands For Hunger functions to connect this excess supply with the unmet, ever growing need through the more equitable and efficient distribution of resources, ?said Alanna Rodgers, Founder and Program Coordinator of Hands For Hunger. ?The proceeds raised from Paradise Plates will go directly to helping us feed the hungry in our community. We encourage everyone to experience this ?gourmet grazing? ? an evening of exceptional and extraordinary food, wine, and entertainment unlike any other the island has ever seen.?

The amazing array of lavish food and drink is complemented by a silent auction, raffle, live entertainment and beautiful d?cor. Tickets for Paradise Plates are $125 per person and can be purchased or reserved by calling or emailing at 327-1660 ext. 241 or info@handsforhunger.orgThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Hands For Hunger was started by a group of Bahamian student leaders in early 2008, who were and still are, committed to making a difference in the world. The organization is a registered, not-for-profit charity (# 57211 C) that relies on donations from community groups, foundations, corporations and the general public. They are led by a volunteer Board of Directors and supported by hundreds of dedicated volunteers. For more information on Hands For Hunger to volunteer or make a donation call 327-1660 ext. 241 or visit www.handsforhunger.org.

Photo: (L-R) Georgina Webster, Director of Fundraising for Hands For Hunger, accepts a check from Rhys Duggan, President and CEO of New Providence Development Company Limited for Paradise Plates.