Livin' in the Blurbs: Stuff Yourself for a Good Cause

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."

- Ghandhi

On Tuesday, April 7th, you can join Mercy Corps and your neighborhood restaurants in their wish for a world that is free of suffering, poverty and oppression. Dine at any participating establishment and 25% of your bill will be donated to Mercy Corps to change the world for the better. The list of participating restaurants is growing all the time, so mark the date on your calendar and check the Dine For Mercy Corps website for the latest updates.

Details: Dine for Mercy Corps. Tues., Apr. 7. List of participating establishments on the website.

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Join 50 restaurants, 20 wineries and four breweries in an effort to help end childhood hunger at this year's Taste of the Nation celebration. It's happening on Monday, April 27, at LUXE Autohaus in NE Portland, and it's sure to be a party with a MIXology station featuring a rotating cast of some of Portland's most creative bartenders, emcee and no slacker with a shaker herself, Lucy Brennan of Mint and 820. Tickets are limited, so get yours now.

Details: Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation. Mon., Apr. 27, 6:30 pm; $75 general admission. Tickets available online or call 1-877-26TASTE.

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During the month of April, Portland's own Hotlips Pizza is passing out free packets of wheat seeds to anyone who comes into any their five Portland-area pizzerias during the month of April (while supplies last). They have 2,000 seed packets to give away. The seeds are Tara red spring wheat from Shepherd's Grain Cooperative in Washington State. Says David Yudkin, co-owner of Hotlips, "This weekend is the sixth anniversary of the US war with Iraq, so we thought it was timely when our wheat farmer, Karl Kupers, handed us a sack of wheat seed from last season's crop, ready to plant."

Details: Free Wheat Seeds from Hotlips Pizza. All of April while supplies last. Check their website for locations.