Park Slope

Diners can enjoy variety of cuisines and help the needy on CHiPS Night Out

June 9 Roster Includes 10 Participating Restaurants

June 8, 2015 By Francesca Norsen Tate, Religion Editor Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Volunteers paint the front of the CHiPS building at 200 Fourth Ave. Photo courtesy of Christian Help in Park Slope
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Diners enjoying their meals at several restaurants around Park Slope and Gowanus will also be able to help a local charity, Christian Help in Park Slope, nicknamed CHiPS.

CHiPS Night Out takes place on Tuesday at 10 neighborhood restaurants.

Founded in 1971, CHiPS is, according to its website, “a community of Brooklyn neighbors, volunteers and friends who share a common spiritual vision to help those who are less fortunate. We prepare hot, nutritious meals and serve them to the needy in a caring and respectful environment.”

But its ministry goes further: CHiPS also operates an emergency pantry and shelter for young mothers and their children. They also provide seasonal clothing to those in need, which are all free. The founders were members of St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church in Park Slope, who were inspired by the spirit of the Vatican II Council and the Biblical story of the good Samaritan. Thus CHiPS became the first Catholic, nonprofit agency for poor, hungry and homeless people in Park Slope. At first, CHiPS offered coffee, sandwiches, free medical consultations and legal assistance every evening out of a small storefront. Then, the ministry expanded in 1976 to be daylong, serving healthy, nutritious meals to all who came to the door.

Two years ago, to raise awareness about the ministry and the need to support it, CHiPS launched Night Out.

Rather than rent a venue and organize a gala, CHiPS staff and volunteers understood that outreach into the neighborhood itself was vital. “It’s a bigger outreach — we can create awareness with a younger audience, families and local diners,” said Denise Scaravella, CHiPS executive director.

Some anchor restaurants have participated since Night Out began; and this time three new participants are joining the list of restaurants: Al di La Trattoria, Stone Park and Pickle Shack.  

“At this event we will have only 10 restaurants because we wanted to drive traffic to the owners,” she explained.

Peter Endriss is the co-owner and head baker of Runner & Stone as well as a CHiPS board member.

“Runner & Stone is a New American restaurant and bakery where we focus on seasonal, local, often organic ingredients and create breads, pastries, pastas and entrees pulling from many culinary traditions.”

“There is no maximum number of guests one can bring. Participation consists only in going out to eat! The restaurants will be accepting guests as normal (based on each restaurant’s normal capacity) and will be donating 15 percent of the day’s revenue to CHiPS.”

Endriss adds that reservations are recommended.

The lineup of restaurants for the June 9 Night Out includes Al di la Trattoria (248 Fifth Ave.); Athena Mediterranean Cuisine (535 Sixth Ave.); Baba Pierogies (295 Third Ave.); Bar San Miguel (307 Smith St.); Double Windsor 210 Prospect Park West); Miti Miti (Spanish taperia: 138 Fifth Ave.); Pickle Shack (256 Fourth Ave.); Runner & Stone (285 Third Ave.); Sidecar (560 Fifth Ave.); and Stone Park Cafe 324 Fifth Ave.).

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