food for a fundraiser

[Anonymous]

Hi all:
I'm hosting a fundraiser for a political candidate and was trying to come up with what foods to have on hand.
I work full time and the event is in the evening after work at my apartment (outside).
So far we have about 20 RSVPs.

I don't mind making one or two things in advance that can be heated up before hand or brought to room temperature.

We have a Costco membership.

I was THINKING cheese and crackers, grapes and nuts and olives to go around the cheese.


how much alcohol do I need? I have a good bit of wine to get rid of - we're having a baby next month and we don't drink as it is, so I'm hoping to use this to free up space that our wine takes up. I'm hopeful it's all still good! It's been kept in an air conditioned apartment so it should be fine, right? I also have vodka and gin. I'll buy some beer (is 4 four 6 packs enough or should I get more?) and some sodas.

Does anyone have a nice EASY summer cocktail I can make with the vodka and serve in a large container?

any ideas welcome! I don't want to spend a fortune, but don't want it to be lame, either.

[Anonymous]

Is this going to be finger foods? We serve trays of tea sandwiches at our rescue's annual benefit. People volunteer to make them and they look elegant.

[Anonymous]

it's going to be whatever I provide - it's not a benefit, it's a campaign fundraiser. There's no volunteer but me. I don't have time to put together tea sandwiches since I work until about an hour before the event starts.

chips and salsa?

[Anonymous]

If you don't drink and you want to avoid leftovers, skip the spirits. 3 bottles (chilled) white, 3 bottles red, a case of beer (assuming 20 people). Soda, and don't forget water, too.

Your food suggestions sound good. Maybe a cookie tray, too?

[Anonymous]

I already have the vodka and gin from a housewarming party I had. Should I still nix a mixed drink?

I'll grab some small bottles of water, too.

I'll get Costco cookies. Those are leftovers I can agree with!

[Anonymous]

With vodka you could do a moscow mule (lime, ginger beer, vodka) or sweet tea vodka (make some lipton tea with an ungodly amount of sugar, maybe fancy it up with a little crushed mint or citrus slices). Could even be half sweet tea and half lemonade with vodka.

[Anonymous]

hm....half and half with vodka sounds pretty good! thanks for the idea!