The Can-Do Spirit

Mariska Hargitay, Jimmy Fallon, Rachael Ray, Mario Batali, Rocco DiSpirito and Helena Christensen were among the notables who turned out for the Can-Do awards dinner to raise money for the Food Bank of New York City last night. The evening's special honoree, Jon Bon Jovi, also got to bask in the adulation of President Bill Clinton and U2's Bono. The presence of master of ceremonies Michael Stipe, lead singer of R.E.M, further enhanced the rock royalty quotient. On the red carpet, I asked arriving celebrities about their favorite Bon Jovi song. The most enthusiastic answer by far came from Batali, who without skipping a beat went into  air-guitar mode, belting out "WANTED....dead or alive!!" For all of the fun and games, the night was really about raising crucial funds for this organization, which helps see to it that the 1.3 million New Yorkers in peril of going hungry do not lack places to turn to find sustenance for their families. At present, the charity's reserves are at critically low levels and the organization is doing everything it can to get the word out about the work it can do with even $1—a donation that will supply five meals for a person who might otherwise go hungry. It kind of gives new meaning to the Bon Jovi song "I'll Be There for You."

For the Love of Lunchboxes!

New York Insider TV hit the red carpet at the Lunchbox Auction kickoff at Milk Studios last night. A charity event benefiting the Lunchbox Fund of South Africa and the Food Bank for New York City, the event pulled together the talents of more than eighty celebrities, each of whom were provided an unadorned lunchbox and encouraged to give it their own distinctive design. Among the boldface names who participated: Martha Stewart, Liv Tyler, the New York Giants, Gwyneth Paltrow, Tony Bennett and Cameron Diaz. The results of their work will go to the highest bidders at an auction taking place on-line and running through December 18. Prices at $100. To browse and bid, visit here. Celebs who turned up for last night's preview included Austin Powers himself, Mike Myers, R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe, superchef Mario Batali, writer Salman Rushdie, actress Julia Stiles and designer Richie Rich. New York Insider's question of the evening: What lunchbox did you have as a child?: Richie Rich: Batman and Robin Michael Stipe: The Munsters Mario Batali: Spiderman (with hot soup in the Thermos) And if Austin Powers had had a lunchbox? "It would have been covered in velvet." —Mike Myers Who was on your lunchbox when you were a child?

For more photos, click here.

The Giants Tackle Hunger

Thanksgiving came early for 700 hungry New Yorkers today, as the New York Giants teamed with the Food Bank for New York City to feed needy local residents gathered at the Community Kitchen of West Harlem.

The day started with members of Big Blue's offensive line (David Diehl, Chris Snee, Kevin Boothe, Na’Shon Goddard, Adam Koets and Grey Ruegamer) hauling 350 turkeys onto a trailer in the Bronx for delivery to the community kitchen. Once the birds arrived, they were unloaded by the team's defensive line, Justin Tuck, Mathias Kiwanuka, Jerome McDougle, Fred Robbins, Barry Cofield, Jay Alford, Renaldo Wynn and Jeremy Clark.

We'd be tempted to say that today's event represented a touchdown for the city's hungry residents, but we might just note instead that a great many field goals were met.

Let the Eating Begin!

As night fell over the foodie mecca that is Chelsea Market, the epicures descended en masse. Marking the kickoff of the inaugural New York City Wine & Food Festival, tonight's open house at the home of the Food Network was a culinary extravaganza (and a sold-out one at that). Bobby Flay caused a paparazzi-like stir as he passed out burgers and posed for pictures. Simultaneously, purveyors including Ronnybrook Farm Dairy (which was freely distributing brandy-flavored milkshakes); Chelsea Thai Wholesale, (which delighted palates with a spicy papaya dish); and Yellow Tail, (which offered a glass of the good stuff around every corner) kept patrons happy on a night that foretold great things for this four-day bonanza. Apsen Food & Wine and South Beach Wine & Food....eat your heart out! All proceeds from the smorgasbord of events over the next few days go to support the Food Bank for New York City and Share Our Strength. For a list of the (sadly) mostly sold-out activities, click here.