Nothing brings people together like tasty food, riveting music, and a good cause! Over the weekend, there was one charitable Twin Cities event that everyone wanted a ticket to: Crayfest 2017. Held at Smack Shack in Minneapolis, Crayfest 2017 gave hundreds of attendees the chance to enjoy an all-you-can-eat crayfish broil, live bands, and local beer, all in support of the Matter nonprofit that works to help all humankind live healthy lives.
The event was a resounding success in connecting Smack Shack and Matter with swarms of potential new fans. Matter put on a dunk tank and had the opportunity to tell attendees about what they are: a movement of people, businesses & organizations who believe they have the power to solve some of the world’s greatest challenges with their own two hands. The dunk tank was an excellent marketing tactic that helped them attract passersby.
While enjoying the tasty Smack Shack eats, Captain Morgan hurricanes, and brews from Modelo USA, Fulton Beer, Indeed Brewing Company, and Fair State Brewing Cooperative, many attendees stopped by the dunk tank to learn about Matter. Home Business Magazine also had the opportunity to talk with Josh Thoma of Smack Shack, who was happy to share his goals for Crayfest 2017.
“This is our fifth annual Crayfest, and we’re really excited about it,” he said. “Originally, the event started with us trying to fish out an invasive species of crayfish in Woman Lake in northern Minnesota. So the event really has some Minnesota roots to start. We actually did fish them out! This year, we’ve also got great bands, everyone from Private Oates to Viva Knievel, STEELING DAN, and Chase and Ovation!”
And why did they want to partner with Matter for this event?
“We do a lot of events with Matter and they are a charity that is very close to my heart,” Josh said. “Over the past three years, we’ve partnered with them for their big galas and we’ve done a bunch of in-home private events with them. We’ve even done some initiatives with Gene Simmons at The Lexington, one of our other sister restaurants. Matter is our go-to charity to work with.”
After catching one of the electrifying live bands, Home Business Magazine also chatted with a Matter representative, Joe, about what the nonprofit is all about.
“We’re a nonprofit health organization over in St. Louis Park, and for the next three years we’re focusing on expanding access to health for 10 million people around the world,” he said. “We really focus on eliminating barriers to a healthier life. We think about how we can do that in our own community and in communities around the world. Obviously, that looks very different depending on where you are.
Right here in our backyard, we really focus on healthy meals for kids. For example, we have a ‘Matter Box’, a box of meals designed to activate healthy eating for kids and their families. We want to teach them that it’s possible for someone to live a healthy lifestyle. We want to tell this to people who might not think that or might not have access to it. We do that with a lot of sports camps, hospitals and clinics, and after-school programs.”
And how does Matter help other global communities?
“In other places around the world, obviously the barriers look very different,” he said. “In really hard-to-reach and broken places, we focus on how we can equip their hospitals and clinics with equipment and supplies. Thankfully, we live in a very medically rich community here with a lot of resources and expertise. They’ve been very generous in working with us and partnering with us. We’ve been able to work with them on getting a lot of their equipment and supplies into a lot of these places.”
He went on to share why Matter wanted to be a part of Crayfest 2017.
“We’re a pretty small team of about 17 people, and we’re trying to do some mighty things around the world,” he said. “It wouldn’t be possible without this army of partners and volunteers behind us. This momentum behind us really helps us do what we’re able to do.
A big part of that is the business community as well. We developed this ‘Companies That Matter’ network of businesses in the community that all share common goals and values that affect the community here and communities around the world. Part of their business is to give back. Smack Shack has been such a great member of ‘Companies That Matter’ and a big supporter of ours. Throughout the years, they’ve been incredibly generous both with their business and giving their time and their resources.”
If you work with a Twin Cities charity and are looking to reach a vast audience next summer, definitely put Crayfest 2018 on your list of marketing initiatives. You will be guaranteed to connect with swarms of excited food and music lovers who will want to learn what your organization is all about and how they can get involved.
Contact: shannahch@gmail.com
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