Celebrities, civic leaders and politicians took a shaving cream pie in the face on Wednesday to raise food-security awareness as the Mustard Seed Street Church kicked off national hunger awareness week with its annual Pie Off Challenge.
Bruce Curtiss, the Mustard Seed’s new executive director, Del Manak, acting Victoria police chief, and Andrew Weaver, B.C. Green Party leader, all took a pie to the face at the event.
The fundraising campaign, in its third year, is about raising awareness about hunger — and stocking the shelves of Victoria’s largest food bank in preparation for the winter months.
During the campaign, the Mustard Seed will challenge individuals and local organizations’ leaders via social media to a friendly pie fight.
Challengees will be given 24 hours to accept the challenge and begin raising food and funds for the Mustard Seed.
People are encouraged to make a video, hop on social media and tell everyone that they are instigating a food drive, starting a fundraising drive or just donating online.
People can then pay it forward, by challenging others.
The goal is to raise $100,000 in cash and collect 100,000 pounds of food so that the Mustard Seed food security ministry can provide nutritious options for the community as it heads into the busy fall/winter season.
Last year, the campaign raised more than 18,000 kilograms of food and more than $46,000.
The Mustard Seed has recently leased a 13,500-square-foot warehouse close to downtown that will greatly assist in collecting and processing more food, particularly perishable goods.
The challenge began on Wednesday and culminates in a weigh-in and collection day, Oct. 31 at the Mustard Seed, 625 Queens Ave. For more information, go to mustardseed.ca/donate.
Run for the Cure is on Sunday
The 2016 Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure takes place in 63 communities across Canada, including Victoria, Sunday Oct. 2. It is the largest single-day, volunteer-led event in Canada in support of breast cancer.
This year, the campaign is centred on allowing the estimated 10,000 participants to make the run more personal. Using an online tool, people can create their own fundraising materials with a campaign message of: “We are all changemakers when we run.”
The foundation is hoping that by personalizing the fundraising, people can lead the charge to inspire others to raise money in advance of the run.
One in nine women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. An estimated 25,000 Canadian women and 220 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. It is the most common cancer diagnosis in Canadian women.
People can take part in either a one- or five-kilometre walk or run. The event takes place at the University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Rd. Register or fundraise at cibcrunforthecure.com.
Egg event combats Alzheimer’s
Celebrate National Seniors Day by enjoying a dish of eggs Benedict, with proceeds to the We Rage, We Weep Alzheimer Foundation, Oct. 1 at Blue Fox Café.
More than 70 per cent of people with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia still live at home and are cared by family or friends.
The foundation runs programs and provides services for people suffering from the disease, their family and caregivers. It encourages independence, supports aging in place and fights isolation.
The fundraiser runs 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the café, 101-919 Fort St. For more information, go to werageweweep.com.
Crab on the menu in Cowichan Bay
Enjoy cracked crab, local corn and salad at the Cowichan Maritime Centre Crab Fest, Sunday, Oct. 2.
This is the second year of the event, hosted by the Cowichan Wooden Boat Society. This year, the event will support the centre’s Pier Reconstruction Project. The historic 89-metre pier requires reconstruction, estimated to cost $500,000.
The Crab Fest includes the delicious crustacean hot from the pot, local corn on the cob, a salad and bread. But hurry, as only 200 Dungeness crabs are available.
Tickets are $25. There will be two sittings, at 5 and 7 p.m. at the centre, 1761 Cowichan Bay Rd., Cowichan Bay. For tickets, call Met at 1-250-746-4955 or visit classicboats.org.
Service group marks 100 years
Saint Vincent de Paul celebrates 100 years of service on Vancouver Island with a centennial dinner for members, volunteers, staff and partners at the Naden Wardroom at CFB Esquimalt on Tuesday.
The service organization’s programs and services cover a broad spectrum of needs in the community, making a better place to live and thrive. Essential services include a food bank, which distributed more than $426,000 worth of food in 2015, and more than 130 units of affordable housing in the Capital Regional District.
The centennial dinner will honour the investment made by countless stakeholders over the decades. Apart from dinner there will be a silent auction, guest speakers and a walk through their history via a video presentation. The evening will also be hosted by Jo-Ann Roberts, acting as the master of ceremonies.
The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul of Vancouver Island is focused on improving the lives of people affected by poverty. The society offers emergency relief services while maintaining a focus and commitment to addressing the root causes that contribute to poverty in our communities. There are more than 200 members, supported by 75 staff and 300-plus volunteers. For more information, go to svdpvictoria.com.
Cancer fundraiser features bubbly
Tickets are still available for Bubbles and Bites, a fundraiser for the B.C. Cancer Foundation Friday at the Victoria Golf Club.
This is the second year of the event, presented by DFH Real Estate Ltd.
Attendees will be treated to an evening of sparkling wine, bite-sized treats, local musicians and a Bubble Wall to honour those who have lost, or are fighting, the battle with cancer.
Tickets are $150. The event runs 6:30 to 10 p.m. Friday at the golf club, 1110 Beach Dr. Tickets online at bubblesandbites.ca.
Help Fill a Dream turns 30
Help Fill A Dream celebrates its 30th anniversary with a gala to honour the children and their families and celebrate the outstanding community support, Friday at Westin Bear Mountain Golf Resort and Spa.
In the past 30 years, the Victoria-based charity has made the dreams of more than 2,200 sick children come true.
On this occasion, the Dream Dress will be revealed — a princess dress for one special girl designed and custom-made by Shades of White Bridal. The dress is made from donated wedding gowns.
Eleven-year-old Ella, who suffers from Type 1 juvenile diabetes, will be the Dream Dress recipient. She will debut the transformed dress at the event.
The night of music, food and entertainment include Jeneece Edroff as a special guest and a fashion show featuring past and present Dream recipients.
Tickets are $125. Festivities start at 6 p.m. Friday at the Westin Bear Mountain Golf Resort and Spa, 1999 Country Club Way. For more information, go to helpfilladream.com.
TP builds poverty awareness
Young adults decorating trees and structures with toilet paper are the inspiration behind TP the Town Victoria, a one-day toilet paper drive meant to raise awareness for families struggling to choose between essentials such as food and toilet paper, Saturday at various locations.
The event, organized by the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce’s Prodigy Group, collects rolls of toilet paper to give out throughout the year to those in need. Last year, the group collected more than 50,000 rolls.
“This is a unique event that brings awareness to the issues around homelessness and poverty in this city,” said Allan Lingwood, director of development of the Mustard Seed Street Church. “We’re extremely grateful to be included as the recipient for the donations for this drive. It will have a tremendous impact on our hampers as we head into the winter season.”
Victorians are asked to donate toilet paper between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. at five participating Save-on-Foods and Country Grocer locations:
Country Grocer Royal Oak, 4420 West Saanich Rd.; Country Grocer Esquimalt, 1153 Esquimalt Rd.; Save-on-Foods Saanich (Uptown), 3510 Blanshard St.; Save-on-Foods Fort and Foul Bay, 1950 Foul Bay Rd.; Save-on-Foods Westside Village, 172 Wilson St.
For more information, go to mustardseed.ca.
