From left to right: Martha Lee (no relations), Yale Wong, Perry Lee (no relation), Jerry Lee (no relation), Eric Booker, and Fred Brown (Photo by George Liu/NWAW)

A group organized by MulvannyG2 Chairman Jerry Lee donated 400 roasted chickens from Costco to the Asian Counseling & Referral Service (ACRS) food bank on Nov. 16 to help feed the needy. This is the fourth year the group has made this donation, which started when Jerry Lee and Cordell Lui drove by the food bank and saw the long lines for food in 2009. They will be making an additional donation of 400 chickens in time for Christmas.(end)

From left to right: ACRS Board President Debadutta Dash, Sam Ung, owner Phnom Penh Noodle House, Paul Qui, Winner of Top Chef Mark Santiago, Executive Sous Chef at The Westin Bellevue, Christine Chen Velasquez, emcee/yoga instructor/health and wellness author (Photo by Amanda Roth/ACRS)

The Asian Counseling and Referral Service raised over $120,000 last Saturday, Oct. 6, at their annual gala, “A Culinary Journey.” The event was anchored by a four-course dinner menu, which was planned by four local celebrity chefs. This year’s meal was created by Chef Mark Santiago of the Westin Bellevue, Phnom Penh Noodle House’s Chef Sam Ung, Top Chef champion Paul Qui, and Chef Helen of Cake Envy. Their dishes were prepared by the Bellevue Westin kitchen staff and served to the 330 guests in attendance. Read the full story

By Elizabeth Wang
Northwest Asian Weekly

(left to right) Richard Conlin, Seattle City Councilmember, Diane Narasaki, ACRS executive director, and Debadutta Dash, president of the ACRS Board of Directors holding the banner at Walk for Rice (Photo provided by ACRS)

Walkers, runners, and dogs of all ages gathered at Seward Park in Seattle to support the 22nd Annual Walk for Rice campaign on June 30. Read the full story

Participants walk (or run!) for rice at the 21st annual fundraiser.

About 600 people braved the rain and cold weather to attend Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS)’s 21st Annual Walk for Rice at Seward Park. To accommodate demand, ACRS set their event fundraising goal at $200,000. The community responded and raised more than $160,000 for the ACRS Food Bank to purchase rice and other Asian staples, and donations continue to come in. Read the full story

At ACRS’ annual benefit dinner, from left: Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn, ACRS Executive Director Diane Narasaki, and California Rep. Mike Honda (Photo by Assunta Ng/NWAW)

The Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS) held its annual benefit gala at the Bellevue Westin. The event, “A Culinary Journey,” featured five chefs, Ngoan Nguyen, Pranee Khruasanit Halvorsen, Sam Choy, and David and Lily Kong. It also featured a performance by Teine Tama Samoa. Read the full story