RED BANK – As Lunch Break prepares for its fifth annual gala, the organization has announced an online auction of iconic photographs by famed photographer, Mark Weiss.
The auction will benefit the organization’s more than 31 years dedicated to helping those community members in need.
Weiss’ photos of rock ‘n’ roll celebrities from the ‘70s and ‘80s – all signed by Weiss and his subjects – are known by the campaign name, “Feels Like the First Time,” borrowed from the Foreigner song. The unique, limited edition photographs are from the first time Weiss photographed each artist and are hand picked from his extensive archives spanning over 35 years.
Included in last year’s pre-gala online auction were photos by Weiss of artists Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, Ozzy Osbourne, Debbie Harry of Blondie and KISS. The photos resulted in a substantial donation to Lunch Break.
The auction will be conducted on Charitybuzz from Sept. 24 through Oct. 15. Additional information about the auction and when it goes live can be found at www.Charitybuzz.com/LunchBreak.
Charitybuzz gives its bidders exclusive opportunities to make a difference and live their dreams through online charity auctions with celebrities and luxury brands.
“I never imagined when I was 16 and sneaking my camera into concerts that I could make a living out of it, much less help out people in my own hometown by donating the sale of these photos 30 years later,” Weiss said. “My work as a photographer has been a dream come true, and it’s time to give back.”
Weiss is now donating the photographs of rock legends to help raise funds for Lunch Break, a cause near and dear to his heart.
Additional information about the gala or the auction is available at www.lunchbreak.org or by contacting Petra Vanderven at pvanderven@lunchbreak.org or 732-747-8577, ext. 3106.
“Many people think Lunch Break is just a soup kitchen, but we are so much more,” said Lunch Break Executive Director Gwen Love.
Last year, Lunch Break served almost 62,000 hot meals and the food pantry distributed emergency groceries more than 10,000 times. The organization also has a homebound delivery service for members of the community who are ill or disabled.
Lunch Break runs a regular clothing distribution program and a special Suited for Success program where members of the community, who are interviewing for jobs, entering the workforce or attending formal occasions, are outfitted.
Lunch Break hosts social service providers on site to connect their clients with a range of health and social service resources. They also have a school backpack program that distributes school supplies; a Community Gardener’s Market that distributes free community-donated produce; a Lunch Break Job Board and an Internet Cafe where guests can research jobs, write resumes and check their email.
There are cooking classes for children, dinner nights for the community at large, Dinner and A Movie Nights monthly for the Boys & Girls Club, a toy distribution program during the holidays and is an integral part of local disaster relief efforts.
The services are free to Lunch Break guests and clients, and are accomplished with a small paid staff supported by more than 2,000 volunteers.
Additional information is available by calling 732-747-8577 or emailing to info@lunchbreak.org.
Additional information about Weiss and his photography is available at www.weissguygallery.com.
