5TH ANNUAL CHOCOLATE FOR CONGO WAS A SUCCESS!
In February 2018, the Never Again Coalition held its 5th annual fundraiser to benefit the Eastern Congo Initiative. Thirteen Portland restaurants and bakeries participated, and donated one dollar from the sale of each chocolate dessert sold that month. Theo Chocolate, which sources more than 70% of their chocolate from the Democratic Republic of Congo, generously donated their chocolate to the participants. Thanks to this delicious fundraiser, over $2600 was donated to the Eastern Congo Initiative, which will fund grants and advocate for the people of eastern Congo. Thank you to Baker and Spice, Bar Avignon, Bistro Agnes, Coquine, Le Pigeon, Little Bird, Maurice, Oui! Wine Bar & Restaurant, Ox, Pacific Pie, Pie Spot, Quaintrelle, and Tusk.
13 PORTLAND RESTAURANTS AND BAKERIES TO FEATURE CHOCOLATE DESSERTS ALL MONTH TO BENEFIT EASTERN CONGO INITIATIVE
The 5th Annual Chocolate for Congo will be taking place for the entire month of February in participating restaurants and bakeries throughout Portland. It couldn't be easier to do a little good while indulging in some of the tastiest desserts in town.
All month long, thirteen Portland restaurants and bakeries will be serving up chocolate desserts made with Theo Chocolate. One dollar from the sale of each dessert will go to Eastern Congo Initiative, a non-profit working on grant-making and advocacy with and for the people of eastern Congo. Theo Chocolate, which now sources more than 70% of its chocolate from the Congo, has generously donated the chocolate for the benefit.
Participating restaurants and bakeries are Baker & Spice, Bar Avignon, Bistro Agnes, Coquine, Le Pigeon, Little Bird Bistro, Måurice, Oui! Wine Bar + Restaurant, Ox, Pacific Pie, Pie Spot, Tusk, and Quaintrelle.
Here's a sampling of what will be featured this February:
Bistro Agnes - classic Tarte au Chocolate
Le Pigeon - Chocolate Malted Chestnut Mousse Cake with Cherry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Little Bird - Chocolate Rootbeer Cake with toasted marshmallow ice cream, malt crumb, burnt meringue
Oui! Wine Bar + Restaurant - Dark Chocolate Olive Oil Cake with Candied Kumquat, Olio Nuovo Ice Cream & Pistachio Streusel
Ox - Turtle Sundae with Theo Chocolate Ice Cream, Salted Caramel Sauce, Chantilly Cream, Roasted Pecans, and Amarena Cherry
Pacific Pie - Chocolate and Coconut Tart
Quaintrelle - Theo Chocolate Bombé - Salted Caramel Bananas Flourless Chocolate Cake with dark chocolate mousse and salted caramel bananas, chocolate-dipped cashew brittle and coconut
Tusk - Chocolate and Tehina Marbled Cheesecake
The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has been plagued with violence for far too long. The path to peace is long but through their partnership, With the support of export partner Esco Kivu, Theo Chocolate and Eastern Congo Initiative are making a real difference in the lives of Congolese people. Theo's cocoa sourcing from Congo now supports over 4500 farmers and in turn, over 32,800 family members. Theo also supports a new maternal health initiative that has thus far eliminated maternal and newborn deaths in in these farming communities.
Remember, there are 28 days in February and 13 restaurants and bakeries participating in Chocolate for Congo. Can you eat all 13 delicious desserts before the month ends?
From Theo Chocolate’s website: Congolese cocoa now represents over half of Theo’s cocoa supply and can be found in every chocolate product that they produce. Through their purchases, Theo Chocolate has been able to positively impact over 20,000 people living in the region, increasing household incomes and improving access to vital services.
While the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is rich in natural and human resources, it has the lowest per-capita gross domestic product in the world. Violence, poverty, and disease in the DRC have claimed the lives of over 5 million men, women, and children. And despite democratic elections and multiple peace agreements, the eastern region is still impacted by conflict, which has significantly diminished the availability of reliable, income-generating employment, as well as education and health care.
Theo and ECI recognized an opportunity to help the region emerge from crisis by joining forces with local farmers to cultivate cocoa. This fast-growing, high-yield crop requires minimal re-planting, prevents deforestation, commands solid global prices, and is a major source of income for women. Cocoa is also considered “militia-proof” because its true value isn’t realized until it’s processed.
The event is organized by the local group Never Again Coalition which works on genocide and mass atrocity awareness and advocacy for Sudan, South Sudan, the DR Congo and the Rohingya crisis.
For more info on the amazing work of Eastern Congo Initiative and their partner in the region, Theo Chocolate, please visit their websites: easterncongo.org and theochocolate.com
Questions? Email us at neveragaincoalition@gmail.com