2012 GOTV Non-Perishable Food, Personal Hygiene Product, and Clothing Drive
Sponsored by the Terrapin Foundation and the Gathering of the Vibes.
We’re excited to once again host the Terrapin Foundation’s annual Gathering of the Vibes non-perishable food, personal hygiene product and clothing drive, because Bridgeport needs our help this year more than ever. The economy continues to sputter along, and many people have been unemployed or underemployed for over three years now. People are hurting and they need our help! This year’s food drive is going to the Connecticut Food Bank with a portion of the donations being allocated to the Bridgeport Office of Veteran’s Affairs and the Bridgeport Office on Aging. All clothing collected will be donated to the Bridgeport Rescue Mission. Your generous donations will make an enormous difference in the lives of our brothers and sisters in need.
Last Year’s Results & 2012 Goal
Last year Gathering of the Vibes attendees donated 6,713 lbs. of non-perishable food & personal hygiene products and another 505 lbs. of new & used clothing, for a grand total of 7,218 lbs! This year we’re once again setting an ambitious goal to collect over 15,000 pounds of food over the course of the weekend. It’s going to take a lot of work, and we cannot do this without your help!
Poster Contest
This year we are very excited to once again extend an outstanding opportunity to the many wonderful and talented artists in our community. We want you to design this year’s food drive poster!! This poster will be given out to anyone who donates at least 20 individual items towards the drive. Please keep in mind that the poster is meant to be a prize, not a promotional poster. In keeping with the Gathering of the Vibes’ on-going greening efforts, we plan to print a limited number of these on a high quality recycled paper.
Those interested in submitting work toward this year’s poster contest are asked to please review the rules and conditions at the following link. All entries must be received by Friday, May 18th at 11:59pm. Entries will be reviewed by members of the Terrapin Foundation and Gathering of the Vibes staff. Up to six (6) finalists will be chosen. Finalists will be posted on the Gathering the Vibes Facebook page, where they will be voted upon in a poll by fans of the Facebook page.
The creator of the winning poster will receive two (2) complimentary VIP Weekend Camping Passes to the Gathering of the Vibes 2012. The creator of the 2nd place poster will receive two (2) complimentary Weekend Camping Passes to Vibes 2012.
Drop-Off Locations
To make it easier than ever to donate, this year we are planning on having several donation stations throughout the festival grounds. The primary donation station will be the Terrapin Foundation booth located in between the main concert field entrance and Green Vibes Stage entrance, near Howe Monument. This location will be open daily, Thursday through Sunday. Assistance via golf cart will be available for those that have large donations.
In addition to the primary donation station, on Thursday and Friday we will be collecting items near the location that vehicles are searched prior to entering the festival. We will also be collecting items at the VIP and Day Entrance and, once you are in, at Camping Headquarters. There will be a roaming food drive golf cart collecting donations throughout the weekend.
Donations Being Accepted
We are accepting clean, un-opened, retail or wholesale purchased, non-perishable food items and personal hygiene products. If possible, we ask that donations be packed in cardboard boxes and readily accessible in your vehicle to be easily handed over to food drive volunteers.
Unfortunately, we cannot accept perishable food or personally produced and packaged foods. Also, please, NO GLASS in the park.
If you have a donation in a glass container, you can drop it off at the collection stations near the vehicle search point or at the VIP/day entrance.
We will also be accepting used and new clothing. We ask that all donations are cleaned, folded, and in a box or plastic bag. Here are examples of acceptable items to donate.
Available Prizes & Incentives
We are pleased to offer some great incentives to those who chip in:
- Any person who makes a donation of 20 items or more towards this year’s drive will receive a complimentary, limited-edition 2012 Gathering of the Vibes Terrapin Foundation food drive poster. Only one poster is allowed per total donation. Any donation of “quick noodle” products such as Ramen Noodles or Cup-o-Noodle will be discounted. Five (5) “quick noodle” packages will be considered one (1) item. Any single item weighing over 5 lbs. will be counted as two (2) items.
- The person who makes the largest donation by weight towards this year’s drive will win two (2) complimentary VIP tickets to the 2013 Gathering of the Vibes.
- Any person who makes a donation of 50 lbs. or more towards this year’s drive will become eligible for a raffle to win two (2) complementary regular camping tickets to the 2013 Gathering of the Vibes.
Final Thoughts
Remember, Bridgeport is welcoming the VibeTribe back to Seaside Park, so let’s give back to those who have given to us and show this community how much we appreciate its hospitality. So start stocking up with non-perishables and personal hygiene products! Even ask your friends, family and coworkers to help!
Any questions about the food drive can be directed to one of the following people via e-mail prior to the festival:
