Two local organizations have worked hard this winter to make sure disadvantaged Islanders have access to free food.

This afternoon the Vineyard Committee on Hunger is hosting a giveaway at the First Baptist Church on Spring street in Vineyard Haven. They are distributing free food, some of it government surplus, to families that qualify. There are enough ingredients in a bag to give a family an Easter dinner with ham and more.

On Saturday, March 15 from 6 p.m. until midnight, the community is invited to turn out at the Cornerway in Chilmark to honor St. Patrick and the Irish tradition of generous celebration at a fund-raising dinner to benefit this year’s Irish History class trip to Ireland. The class is composed of students at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School.

Corned beef and cabbage will be served and guests will dance and sing the night away to the music of the Swinging Flamingoes from Boston.

Calling All Artists

Preparations have begun for this year’s Annual Friends of Family Planning Art Show Benefit, which is scheduled for Memorial Day weekend from May 23 to 25. The event gala on May 22 is known to be a great showcase for new work of all kinds.

Show organizers are inviting new artists to participate. Paintings, all media and furniture, pottery, three-dimensional art, jewelry and weaving are encouraged.

Julie Roads, Vineyard Haven resident and owner of national writing and marketing company Writing Roads, will demonstrate how to drive targeted traffic to your business Web site through creative marketing in special interactive workshop hosted by the Martha’s Vineyard Women’s Network.

Cook Moroccan

Dinner goes global this week when Jan Buhrman of Kitchen Porch Catering in Chilmark demystifies Moroccan cooking on Wednesday, March 12, at 5:30 p.m. at Chilmark library. The title of her free cooking demonstration is Moroccan Staples and Spices: Preserved Lemons and Tagines.