Since the pandemic struck, many businesses, organizations and individuals have raised their hands to help the Corbin Cares initiative, which was launched by Baywater Properties and PG Properties in conjunction with The Darien Foundation, The Community Fund of Darien and Food Rescue US.
This creative partnership gives much-needed business to local restaurants such as Ten Twenty Post, Bodega Taco Bar, Bistro Baldanza, Jake’s Place and Four Forks, while providing over 300 healthy, ready-to-eat meals to food-insecure families and senior citizens on a weekly basis. As of last Friday, May 1, a total of 5,375 meals had been supplied since the initiative’s March 30 launch. This includes 2,970 meals served to seniors and families within Darien. All of the meals within Darien were funded by The Darien Foundation.
This has turned into a sincere community collaboration -- and “blue wave” of good. So far, a large number of businesses, organizations, and individuals have stepped up to offer service or donations -- and the list keeps growing.
The Darien Foundation is leading the charge by funding 100% of the Darien-based meals; donations provided by Nobu Miki online paintings’ auction, The Darien Garden Club, The Darien Land Trust, The Darien Lions Club, Darien Police Association, Everything is Rosey, J.McLaughlin Darien, Hindley School PTO, Holmes School Kids Care Club, Park Lane Association, Tokeneke School PTO and most recently, SubShots High Quality Prints, are among those adding funds to the vital initiative, which expands to those in need in neighboring towns such as Norwalk and Stamford, as well.
The giving extends beyond financial contributions. In addition to feeding locals in need, Corbin Cares has launched a series of free virtual / Zoom events and classes to inspire and help spiritually uplift and connect the community. The events include a wide array of offerings, from fitness classes to wine tastings to bartending lessons.
One of the most popular offerings has been weekly Saturday fitness classes with Barry’s Bootcamp taught by two renowned Westchester instructors, Rhonda Hunt and Meryl-Lyn Joshy. Quarantined locals can be seen smiling – and grimacing – as they get a taste of this popular, high-intensity workout, led by inspiring and dynamic instructors. The concept is fortuitous as we will soon be able to enjoy (and hobble) out of their studio locally as they join the community within the Corbin District in 2021.
JoyRide Cycling + Fitness’ General Manager and Lead Instructor Dina Fay will lead a special Mother’s Day Champagne Ride indoor cycle class on Sunday, May 10 at 11:30 a.m. (at-home stationery or indoor cycling bike needed), as well as two other rides on May 20 and 24.
The Bar Method is bringing their signature safe, challenging and graceful technique to locals’ homes, as well.
Alissa Tucker of AKT, which trains celebrities such as Shakira, Kelly Ripa, Alicia Keys and Hilary Duff, will be offering one of their high-intensity, dance-oriented workouts.
Saraswati Yoga Joint will soon be offering yoga and meditation classes, and local crafting studio, Make-Modern is offering a craft lesson in preparation for Mother’s Day.
Not only can adults get in on the fitness offerings, last week, the ever-popular Dance on the DL hosted a family dance party, which was particularly fun and uplifting for kids and adults.
Several restaurants, such as Ten Twenty Post Oyster Bar and Bistro and Bodega are offering cocktail-making lessons. Angela Baldanza of Bistro Baldanza will show Darienites how to make one of her signature dishes, Chicken Milanese on Tuesday, May 19 at 10:30 a.m. Donelan Family Wines is hosting a wine tasting of Sonoma wines, in tandem with Ten Twenty Post. Orders need to be placed by May 8 in order to partake in this fun interactive tasting with two experts.
The events calendar, filled through June, and the complete schedule can be seen here.
Participants are encouraged to enjoy these events/classes, tag the business, @thecorbindistrict (on Instagram and/or Facebook) and also use the hashtag #corbincares so others can learn about these offerings.
David Genovese said, “It has been awe-inspiring to see the power of giving, human spirit and the lengths to which people in our community will go to help others. We are so grateful to everyone for helping to fuel this engine to feed others, both financially - and spiritually - through these virtual gatherings. I call it a growing “snowball of good.”
Retailers/vendors contributing to Corbin Cares
AKT
The Bar Method
Barrett Bookstore
Bistro Baldanza
Bodega Taco Bar
Casey McBride Yoga
Dance on the DL
Darien Cheese & Fine Foods
Donelan Family Wines
Doug Allen Music
Four Forks
Jake’s Place
JoyRide Cycling + Fitness
Kind Bud
KVO Collections
Leary’s Liquors
Lock City Ale
Make-Modern
Mike’s Organic
Mirador, LLC
Saraswati Yoga Joint
Sipstirs
SoNo Bakery
Ten Twenty Post Oyster Bar & Bistro
Tyler Colman, aka, Dr Vino
Upper Crust Bakery & Deli
Upper Deck Fitness
About Corbin Cares
Corbin Cares, with the support of our community, will work with The Darien Foundation, The Community Fund of Darien, The Darien Lions Club, Food Rescue US and several local restaurants to get healthy, ready-to-eat meals delivered to those in our community who are food insecure and to our hospital & healthcare workers during this battle with Covid-19. Corbin Cares was initiated by Baywater Properties and PG Properties in connection with their redevelopment of a portion of downtown Darien, which they have branded The Corbin District.
For more information about Corbin Cares, visit https://www.thecorbindistrict.com/corbin-cares/