Quick Bites: Hunger help, new Marina restaurant and…peak beer (?!).

The epic Monterey County Gives! fundraising drive runs through the end of the year.

A motherlode of anti-hunger and healthy foods nonprofits rank among the deserving organizations.

Groups like Food Bank for Monterey County, Everyone's Harvest and Ag Against Hunger all share their Big Ideas for cultivating community wellness at the MCGives website.

Donating is easy, and doesn't have to involve more than $5.

That said, given the depth and quality of organizations—123 all told—a visit to the website makes giving almost compulsive.

As this goes live, more than 2,300 locals have contributed in excess of $2.1 million. 

Thanks for taking a look.

More food news nibbles appear here:

• Brewers Association just reported the payload of breweries in the U.S. has passed the 5,000 mark: 5,005 breweries at the end of last month is a new high.

• The new Bagel Kitchen (324-4330) and its handmade kettle-boiled bagels, baked fresh every morning, observes its grand opening and ribbon-cutting 5-6pm Thursday, Dec. 15, in the Forest Hill Shopping Center (1132 Forest Ave.).

• The new owners of the former Kula Ranch Steakhouse and its parent hotel have big plans for the space. Sounds like they've completely redone the bar area and outside decks in a big way. They're also taking aim at developing a big brunch menu.

• Exec Chef David Baron leads a dynamic super group of chefs for a special dinner Monday, Dec. 19, at Casanova in Carmel ($79, 238-0418). His longtime friends and S.F. chefs Shawn Naputi from Prubechu and Manfred Wrembel from Huxley join him in creating a five-course dinner with appetizers at Casanova. Accompanying them: mixologist Elmer Dulla from Salare Restaurant in Seattle, with a customized pairing ($49 optional).

• The Indian boom continues. After Aabhar Indian Cuisine and Ambrosia Cannery Row popped up last month, Saffron Cafe is coming soon to the former Pinkberry on Alvarado. 

• Britannia Arms in downtown Monterey (656-9543) perpetuates a cool little holiday tradition noon-6pm on Christmas with complimentary mince-fruit pies and a unique holiday atmosphere. This year will be the 17th annual. "It's a pretty funny scene," co-owner Paul Whitecross says.  

• Homespun Marina spot Coffee Mia has rolled out some new menu items like Maggie’s chicken tostada, “Hulk” sandwich ($8.75) with turkey pesto and arugula ($8.75) and a Greek wrap ($7.75)

• The updated Pacific Seaweeds covers some of the myriad new uses of seaweed in everyday life. Beyond dried seaweeds and use in snacks and sushi rolls, gelatinous seaweed extracts are used to stabilize and bind ingredients in ice cream, toothpaste, lotions and shampoos. More on the new book on the blog soon.

• Twisted Roots Vineyard (594-8282) now crafts hard cider using a combination of five different apples, 6 percent ABV 22-ouncers go low on calories and are gluten free.

• The Carmel Pizza Factory (626-5432) celebrates its 15th year by offering a large pizza for $15 throughout the month of December. Interested patrons simply mention the anniversary and dig in.

• Monterey County Health Department is advising residents to take caution with wild mushroom foraging as local hospitals have seen an increase in poisonings.

• One way to learn how to differentiate: The 43rd annual Santa Cruz Fungus Fair takes place 1-5 pm Friday, Jan. 13 and 10-5 pm Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 14-15 at the Louden Nelson Community Center.

• Smith Family Wines just brought on board industry veteran Larry Brooks to lead their winemaking program. Brooks has worked for Acacia Winery, Chalone Wine Group, and Tolosa Winery and has since started his own consulting business.

• Chesebro Wines (659-2125) has introduced two dramatically different single vineyard Grenaches. Which reminds me: Local wine makes for great stocking stuffing. Same for restaurant gift certificates.

• The former McDonald’s in Pacific Grove near Save Mart has been divided into two businesses. One remains TBD, the other will be a…Starbucks.

• Noon-6pm Sunday, Dec. 18, Monterey Bay American Poolplayers Association holds its second annual Holiday 9-Ball Tournament and Toy/Food Drive benefitting the Salvation Army of the Monterey Peninsula at Easy Street Billiards ($40 includes tournament entry, dinner, drink and donation). Preregister via 455-6864.

• Nielsen Bros. is selling Royal Osetra caviar throughout the remainder of the year; to keep the celebratory spirit vigorous it also hosts a Champagne tasting 4-6 pm Friday, Dec. 30. Bubbly is poured by the ambassador of the Moet-Hennessy Group.

McKenna Sorensen contributed to this report.