On Wednesday, December 9th, 2026 the Dining for Dollars committee is sponsoring the twenty first annual Dining for Dollars fundraiser. Thank you Unitarian Universalist Society of Schenectady for the space and continued support. This year we are once again supporting: The MoonCatcher Project - providing menstrual management kits to girls living in poverty throughout the world, to help them stay in school and Schenectady Street Soldiers - an organization supporting those experiencing homelessness and food insecurity.
How does it work?
Place your order with us between November 1st and December 1st.
On Wednesday December 9, 2026 we’ll make dinner for you and deliver it to your house between 2 and 6 p.m.
Turn your porch light on, shovel your walk.
Leave a cooler outside or tell us about a safe place to put your food.
You don’t have to dress up or go out. It all happens right in your house. You can put on your PJ’s and watch TV or you can invite friends and have a party.
How do I donate?
After you have enjoyed your meal, give whatever feels right to you. Your generosity will be appreciated by the organizations we support.
Write a check: There will be an addressed envelope with your meal to return with the donation of your choice.
Venmo: @TheMoonCatcher-Project
Pay online (a QR code will be provided with your meal)
What’s in the meal?
You select: Vegetarian Lasagna, Vegan Lasagna, Gluten Free Lasagna
Garlic bread (GF / V available)
Salad + dressing
Dessert
While we make every effort to accommodate dietary preferences, we cannot guarantee that our meals are prepared in a 100% allergen-free environment.
Where do we deliver?
If you live within zip codes 12054, 12077, 12159, 12203, 12208, 12209, 12301, 12302, 12303, 12304, 12305, 12306, 12307, 12308, 12309, 12325, 12148 or [in Saratoga] 12866 we’ll bring your meal[s] right to your home.
If you live elsewhere you can pick up your food at UUSS [the Unitarian Universalist Society of Schenectady at 1221 Wendell Ave. Schenectady] between 4 and 6 p.m. on December 9th, 2026 where we’ll be preparing the food.
We need your order by 6:00 pm on Tuesday, December 1st, 2026.
HOW WE GOT STARTED
If you have not heard by now, our founder and executive director, Ellie von Wellsheim, will be passing the torch to Claire Jennings and Brynn Watkins, a new generation of leadership, starting in January 2027.
With this, 2026 will be Ellie’s final Dining for Dollars event. Please take a moment to reflect on the cosmic impact this fundraiser has had over the last 21 years and honor the compassionate efforts spearheaded by Ellie and made possible by the hands of many generous volunteers along the way.
Similar to the origin of The MoonCatcher Project, when Ellie learns about a problem, her natural instinct is to figure out how to solve it.
It all started in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina destroyed the homes and lives of thousands of people living in New Orleans. In an effort to continue supporting the organizations we had been working with to rebuild the lives of these people, we came up with this idea for a fundraiser.
Dining for Dollars has raised more than $192,000 for individuals facing tremendous hardship in their lives. It has directly impacted immigrants, school girls, food pantries, hurricane relief, after-school programs, and unhoused children.
Dining for Dollars comes together once a year during the holidays, when life is busy and everyone feels there is too little time to get everything done. To take some of the pressure off you, our D4$ elves make a full lasagna dinner and deliver it right to your door.
There is no event to go to, no new dress to buy, and best of all, you don’t need to cook that night. Some people make the meal casual like a regular dinner and some invite friends and make it a party. You can order as much food as the number of guests you’ll have at your table. All you need to provide is the wine!
Be sure to submit your order by 6:00 PM on December 1st!
Got Questions? Call us at 518-217-8733 or email us at info@mooncatcher.org!