Would you pay $120 for a rice-only dinner?

WEDNESDAY, MAY 2: A dinner will be served on Friday night where everyone pays the same price, but not everyone will get the same meal.

The Rich Person, Poor Person Dinner will take place at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess as a fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bermuda.

It will raise awareness about women issues including employment, healthcare, education and more. 

The event is being organised by Joanne Wohlmuth of the Peace and Social Justice Committee of the Roman Catholic Church in Bermuda. 

Asked about the concept of the dinner, Ms Wohlmuth said: “The Rich Person, Poor Person Dinner is a concept where people come together to share a meal and like in life it is the luck of the draw what you get, a rich person’s meal or a poor person’s meal.”

She said everyone at the dinner will pay the same amount for their meal, but they are not informed until the meal is served which meal they will get.

“It all depends on where one sits and no one knows for sure what matters until we do the draw.”

“The meal distribution, like with world poverty, it is 80 per cent to 20 per cent where 80 per cent of those in attendance will receive a poor meal and 20 per cent a rich meal.  

“On a table of ten people only two people will get a ‘great’ meal while the others will be given a bowl of rice.”

Ms Wohlmuth isn’t sure where the idea came from but said it has been used in fundraisers in other social justice events put on by Catholic Churches abroad.

“Catholic social justice teachings focus on preferential treatment for the poor and reminds us of Christ’s teachings, ‘Whatever you do to the least of my brothers and sisters that you do unto me’.

 “At the dinner, people get this, when only two people are eating a lavish meal and all others around them are eating rice.  

“The rich end up wanting to share their meal with others.”

This year, funds will go to Big Brother Big Sisters of Bermuda and Catholic Charity St Vincent De Paul Society for the specific benefit of single women and their children.  

Asked why people should participate, Ms Wohlmuth said: “I would say this is a charity dinner event like no other you have experienced.  

“You will get a delicious meal, and, yes, even the poor meal is delicious, and it will be fun and entertaining with a live band, Working Title who graciously donated their services and have done so for the last three years.  

“It will be educational where you will receive knowledge and facts not only about the world but about our Bermuda community which will make you think and hopefully act in ways like never before to support greater justice and peace in the world and our Bermuda community.  

“In the end there is a raffle draw with great prices to take home as an added benefit to your night’s winnings.”

The mistress of ceremonies will be Power Girl, Patrina O’Connor.

Tickets are $120 and can be purchased at www.bdatix.bm.