VIRTUAL SAVOR THE SEASON FAQ

• Will there be a cost to attend? There is no ticket price this year. You and your guests must RSVP to have the opportunity to donate and bid on silent and live auction items. You will need to enter your credit card to register, but it will not be charged unless you choose to bid or donate.
  
  
• Who is invited? We have a “bigger tent” this year— with no space limitations, we can cast a wider net inviting around 50,000 households. Invitations will hit mailboxes in August. Please feel free to invite your friends and family – the more the merrier!
  
  
• How will you host the event virtually? We will broadcast the 1-hour event featuring videos of the Food Bank’s work, a silent and live auction with online bidding, fund-a-need opportunities, and messages from special guests. You can tune in on any device online or on a smart TV.
  
  
• How do I RSVP?
  • There is no cost to attend but all guests must RSVP to participate in this event.
    
    
  • Click on the RSVP button on the event web page which will take you to the event home page
    
    
  • Click the “Get Started” button to take you to the Create Account page which will allow you to create an account so you can participate in the event.
    • If you joined us last year you already have an account and can login using your same info.
      
      
    • If this is your first virtual Savor the Season, just click the green “Create Account” button and follow the prompts.
      
      
  • Once you verify your email you will be directed to a page where you can finish creating your account.
    
    
• Why should I create an account?
  • By creating an account, it allows you to not only attend our Virtual Gala, but; access the silent auction prior to the event and bid during the live auction!
    
    
• How can I view the event at home with my guests? Can I get some tech advice?
  

  
  Yes! We are here to help.
  
  
  

  • For this event you will need 2 devices: one device to view the event (laptop or smart TV) and one to participate in the auctions and chat (typically a phone). If you have a smart TV, it is best to connect a laptop to that TV to view the event. You will receive an email with a link to the event page where you can log in with your custom username and password from the account you created when RSVP’ing to the event. You will use this link to view the event broadcast on your TV or computer and to login on your phone to bid on items and donate to our Fund-A-Need. We suggest practicing streaming a video on your chosen device well before the event to get comfortable. Tip: everyone attending should RSVP on the event site so they can access the event and bid individually on their own phones.
    
    
  • We suggest practicing streaming a video to get comfortable with how to do that on your chosen device well before the event.
    
    
  • You can check your internet bandwidth this way: In the Chrome browser, search for “speed test”. A “Run Speed Test” button will provide a test by Google. Ookla also provides a popular speed test, accessible with any browser at www.speedtest.net. The three metrics for internet speed are download (Mbps), upload (Mbps), and latency (ms), with download speed being the most important for viewing YouTube. Be aware that if your internet is provided by cable, your speed can vary depending on time of day and neighborhood traffic.
    
    
  • If you think you need to increase your internet (why? because many people are attending and will be using their phones, or you have had trouble with Internet outside in the past etc.) contact your internet provider to learn how to increase for the day.
    
    
• Can you tell me more about the auction? Yes!
  • We are excited to have a silent auction this year, which will be open for bidding on September 4th and remain open through 9/13.
    
    
  • Our curated, live auction will begin during the broadcast. Our live auctioneer will open and close each package individually and will indicate how much time remains to place bids before each package closes. This will go much faster than an in-person auction so make sure to preview the digital program ahead of time and be ready to bid during the event!
    
    
  • You may split live packages with friends if desired! During the broadcast have one person in your group do the bidding. We will not run credit cards until the next day so simply call our office to arrange the splitting of payments by providing the different credit cards involved. 1-510-635-3663 ext. 111