The Rotary Club of Brookline is sponsoring its third annual “Have a Heart: A Chocolate Extravaganza” on Sunday, February 3, 2013 from 12 noon to 3:00 pm at Pine Manor College (Founders Hall). The theme is chocolate in celebration of Valentine’s Day and the spirit of giving. Proceeds go to local food pantries.

Event sponsors are Brookline Bank, Pine Manor College, and Dane Estate Catering.

The need for food is great in the Town of Brookline. 13% of the population is living at or below the poverty line. There was a 31% increase in the total number of visits in 2011. The Brookline Emergency Food Pantry purchases more than half of the food it gives away. There was a 90% increase in dollars spent to purchase items for the food pantry in 2011. In 2009, $40,000 was spent and in 2010 $76,700 was spent.

According to the 2009 Food Pantry annual report, there were almost 2700 visits for those in need of supplementary free food in 2011. Since 2009, there has been a marked increase in families with children using the pantry. Also, the number of households using the pantry and the number of times that each household actually comes to the pantry have dramatically increased.

More people are coming more often. From 2009 to 2011 the number of households has increased by 57% and the number of visits to the pantry has increased by 65%. Prior to 2009, there was increased usage of between 5% and 8% per year.

One out of six Americans goes to bed hungry.

Tickets can be purchased online for $15.00 for adults, $10.00 for seniors and ages 6-9, and free under age 6. Tickets are also available at the door for $25.00. To purchase tickets, visithttp://2013rotarychocolateextravaganza.eventbrite.com/#

is sponsoring its third annual “Have a Heart: A Chocolate Extravaganza” on Sunday, February 3, 2013 from 12 noon to 3:00 pm at Pine Manor College (Founders Hall). The theme is chocolate in celebration of Valentine’s Day and the spirit of giving. Proceeds go to local food pantries.

Event sponsors are Brookline Bank, Pine Manor College, and Dane Estate Catering.
The need for food is great in the Town of Brookline. 13% of the population is living at or below the poverty line. There was a 31% increase in the total number of visits in 2011. The Brookline Emergency Food Pantry purchases more than half of the food it gives away. There was a 90% increase in dollars spent to purchase items for the food pantry in 2011. In 2009, $40,000 was spent and in 2010 $76,700 was spent.

According to the 2009 Food Pantry annual report, there were almost 2700 visits for those in need of supplementary free food in 2011. Since 2009, there has been a marked increase in families with children using the pantry. Also, the number of households using the pantry and the number of times that each household actually comes to the pantry have dramatically increased.

More people are coming more often. From 2009 to 2011 the number of households has increased by 57% and the number of visits to the pantry has increased by 65%. Prior to 2009, there was increased usage of between 5% and 8% per year.

One out of six Americans goes to bed hungry.

Tickets can be purchased online for $15.00 for adults, $10.00 for seniors and ages 6-9, and free under age 6. Tickets are also available at the door for $25.00. To purchase tickets, visit http://2013rotarychocolateextravaganza.eventbrite.com/#