Compassion in Action: A look inside Policy Leader events
One of the most rewarding parts of the Food For Thought program is seeing compassionate menu policies come to life. Across the world, our Policy Leaders are demonstrating that compassion extends beyond the animals they protect and into every aspect of their work. The photos and stories below highlight just a few of the many ways our Policy Leaders are creating events that inspire supporters, engage donors, and prove that plant-based food can be a crowd favorite for every guest.
Heidi Medas, Co-Founder/Board President, Smokey Chestnut Farm Sanctuary
“Smokey Chestnut Farm is a 501C3 organization whose mission is to help animals in need and provide life-time sanctuary.
We have 6 onsite fundraising events every year. The outside pictures are from our spring and fall craft fairs where we have 50 artisans/vendors and we make all of the food we offer from scratch. Pizzas are cooked in our outdoor ovens and people (vegans AND non vegans) love it! Not all of our volunteers are plant-based, but because of our event menus and how delicious the food is, many have converted either fully or partially, and for that, we are elated and grateful!
We also have one evening event every year where we rent a big white tent and decorate with delicate white lights. It’s usually a night of thanks and appreciation to our amazing donors and sponsors. We typically make stuffed mushrooms, Impossible nuggets and other finger foods. The desserts are extremely fancy! We have a volunteer who graduated from the Culinary Arts program at Johnson and Wales in Rhode Island, Cassidy. People simply cannot believe these desserts are made from PLANTS!"
Jessica Harris, Program Director - Farmed Animals, Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries
"GFAS Brings Sanctuary Work to the AVA Summit for 4th year in a row
The Animal and Vegan Advocacy Summit is arguably the most influential gathering for those in the farmed animal protection movement and this year we put on our largest sanctuary event YET.
Partnering with Argo Films, we cohosted a Sanctuary Reception and Film Screening of Forever Home, a documentary featuring Accredited Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge. We laughed, we cried, we ate the most delicious vegan food from Toronto's own Animal Liberation Kitchen and Bunner's Bakery, and most of all, we created a special space deliberately for sanctuaries. The amazing selection of vegan deli-style sandwiches, croissant sandwiches, salad and bars showcased how delicious it is to align your values and actions, your rescues with your recipes. We believe sanctuaries are modeling the compassionate world for animals we want to see."
Briana Senland, Social Media Coordinator, Sunrise Sanctuary
“Sunrise Sanctuary, Inc. is a volunteer-led, vegan, non-profit animal sanctuary on 19 acres in Marysville, Ohio. We are the forever home for 140+ animals, many of whom were formerly neglected, abused, or abandoned. Our fundraising efforts go directly to providing the best care and lives possible for the Horses, Cows, Sheep, Donkeys, Goats, Pigs, Chickens, Turkeys, Geese, Ducks, Cats, and more.
Being vegan is extremely important to us. All of our events feature only vegan food and drinks. We are active in the local vegan community, and place a high importance on the sanctity of all life animals and humans alike. Ethically, vegans believe animals should not be exploited for not just food, but also clothing and even entertainment purposes. Many of the animals at Sunrise have often been rescued from unimaginable circumstances, and we are focusing on providing them the best life possible in their forever home.
For Spring Fling 2026, we offered hot dogs from Vida's vegan butcher in Columbus Ohio, along with mixed baked beans, potato salad, fruit, and a variety of vegan sweet treats. For Thanksgiving for the Turkeys 2025, our menu included a homemade vegan shepherd's pie, along with other yummy snacks and a huge bake sale! For Spring Fling 2025, we offered various vegan hot dogs and burger, pasta salad, and baked beans, plus adorable and yummy cookies! For Thanksgiving for the Turkeys 2024, our menu included a homemade green bean casserole and roasted vegetables, plus all the desserts! For Spring Fling 2024, Condado Tacos provided a vegan taco bar and local bakers supplied the vegan sweet treats!”