Tibet Fest

Help build greenhouses halfway around the world.

by Sherri Hospedales

[ festival ]

When Margaret Ferrigno worked in the Qinghai province of Tibet, food wasn't always plentiful. To combat hunger at four private schools there, she and other volunteers from Tibet Aid, a humanitarian organization, built a greenhouse. It turned out to be a success — the greenhouse provided food for lunch programs at each of the schools, and prevented hundreds of children from going hungry. Soon, more schools wanted greenhouses, but didn't have the money to build them.

To grant the Tibetan schools their wish and raise awareness about the situation, Ferrigno will host a benefit brunch and outdoor festival. "More and more schools wanted greenhouses," she says. "And the benefit brunch will hopefully provide us with the money to build it for them." For a suggested donation of $8, brunch will include vegetarian Tibetan dumplings, Indian chai, hash browns and fruit salad.

At the festival afterward, singers and dancers will perform traditional Tibetan pieces and vendors will sell raw cotton clothing, handmade silver jewelry, photographs and artwork.

The event coincides with the Saga Dawa Festival, the day Tibetans celebrate the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death. To honor the holiday, lamas will light candles and hang prayer flags for world peace — a lofty goal that becomes more possible each time a hungry mouth is fed.

Sun., June 7, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., $8 suggested donation, Clark Park, 4300-4398 Chester Ave., 215-552-8186.