MedWish International experienced a bit of backlash this week when they invited local food bloggers to review their big fundraising party but to do it while “refraining from eating and drinking.” Reviewing food without eating it would be the trickiest of tasks for the most seasoned of critics, but the tackiness of the move is what rattled bloggers most.
Last month, the organization that collects medical supplies to deliver to the poorest spots overseas invited several bloggers to its annual Band Aid Bash. The event is tomorrow and will feature cuisine from all three of Chris Hodgson’s food trucks— Dim and Den Sum, Hodge Podge, and Nosh Box.
“The Band Aid Bash would be a great event for you to come eat some great food while networking and
building new friendships,” the bloggers were told. They were given instructions on how to RSVP for media tickets.
To bloggers responding to the RSVP, MedWish politely suggested that perhaps they could promote the event on their sites—you know, to help sell more of the $150 tickets. Some did. “I had a bad feeling about accepting the invitation in the first place because I felt like I was compromising the purpose of my blog. My blog isn’t about advertising,” says Jill Sommer, creator of Cleveland Rocks Cleveland Eats. She says she never promoted anything before but made an exception because she thinks MedWish is such a worthy cause.
The Band Aid Bash sold out—it’s even oversold, maybe thanks in part to the bloggers who promoted it. And the thanks the bloggers got from MedWish this week was a note saying that because ticket sales were so successful, MedWish would not be able to afford to give the bloggers media tickets—they could come to the party, but not eat or drink.
“We messed up,” says MedWish Executive Director Josh Kravitz. “The media passes were offered prematurely and the revocation of them was also done in error.”
To Mr. Kravitz’ credit, at least he didn’t try to blame the gaffe on an intern. Also to his credit, all Cleveland media, including the bloggers, received a press release from MedWish today inviting them again to RSVP for media passes, and it’s assumed the passes will come with permission to eat and drink.
This article appears in Apr 25 – May 1, 2012.
Earlier this week, an e-mail was sent revoking full media passes for Band Aid Bash. This communication was unfortunate and we sincerely apologize for it. The unprecedented enthusiasm for this year’s amazing and oversold event, created some anxiety amongst our team. The revocation of media passes was not the collective decision of MedWish and was certainly not the most hospitable action. Media coverage from print, TV, radio and electronic sources are important to any nonprofit’s existence as it connects us to the community which supports our mission. Their role in educating the public about our mission to collect, sort and distribute urgently needed supplies to hospitals in the developing world is important. We are sorry for any disrespect and distress our previous communication to the media may have caused. We absolutely welcome all forms of media to RSVP to our over sold Band-Aid Bash, ….and will of course include all the food and drink they want!
Josh Kravitz Executive Director, MedWish
Lee Ponsky, MD Founder/President, MedWish
How can someone review food, when they not allowed to eat it. How stupid can this organization be, this one took the cake and an excuse from Mr. Kravitz is not acceptable.
If I remember correctly, was it not food truck Dim and Dem Sum that cheated on Bobby Flays Great Food Truck Race and was kicked out ?
How fucking stooooopid can you get ? Critique food and not taste it ?
Thats like not insuring the medical supplies are actually what they are supposed to be.
Hey, I need 10 cc’s of morphine. SUPRISE its WATER dumbass.
Medwish is a wonderful non-profit that provides much needed medical supplies to people who can put them to good use. They also keep many items out of our regional waste stream. Everyone makes mistakes, but picking on a local and global gem for one slip up only shows the true colors of those who have nothing better to do than bully those who are doing good. Keep up the good work Medwish!