Philanthropy
- Manrique focuses on a variety of philanthropic causes. Of particular note is his own creation, "Taste and Tribute". This came about in 2001, when Manrique's longtime interest in Buddhism inspired him to direct his efforts towards the Tibetan Aid Project. "Taste and Tribute" is an annual event of camaraderie and fine food that supports the Tibetan Aid Project. Manrique has been the guiding light and inspiration for the event since its inception. All proceeds go directly towards the effort to preserve Tibet’s cultural heritage for the benefit of the Tibetan people and all humanity.
- Manrique’s humanitarian beliefs have also taken him to South Africa in 2007 to participate in an anti-HIV program, where he cooked for Nelson Mandela. He is a longtime supporter of Meals on Wheels and Project Open Hand in San Francisco, which aims to provide isolated homebound seniors in San Francisco with nutritious meals, daily human contact and supportive services to prevent their premature institutionalization. Participation in Project Open Hand aids the charity in providing “meals with love” to people living with serious illnesses and to seniors. Aqua also contributes to the San Francisco volunteer organization that picks up excess food from the restaurant biweekly and delivers it to feeding programs in the city of San Francisco. In addition, Manrique regularly contributes to many local charities and fundraising events.
Read more about this topic: Laurent Manrique
Famous quotes containing the word philanthropy:
“I shall not be forward to think him mistaken in his method who quickest succeeds to liberate the slave. I speak for the slave when I say that I prefer the philanthropy of Captain Brown to that philanthropy which neither shoots me nor liberates me.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“... the hey-day of a woman’s life is on the shady side of fifty, when the vital forces heretofore expended in other ways are garnered in the brain, when their thoughts and sentiments flow out in broader channels, when philanthropy takes the place of family selfishness, and when from the depths of poverty and suffering the wail of humanity grows as pathetic to their ears as once was the cry of their own children.”
—Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815–1902)
“Almost every man we meet requires some civility,—requires to be humored; he has some fame, some talent, some whim of religion or philanthropy in his head that is not to be questioned, and which spoils all conversation with him. But a friend is a sane man who exercises not my ingenuity, but me.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)