The smell of BBQ wafted down Main Street in Steinbach Wednesday during the lunch hour, resulting in a lineup of people who were ready to eat hot dogs in support of a local charity.
The Taste of Summer Charity BBQ raised $5,815 for Agape House, a crisis centre in Steinbach that provides programming and support for people experiencing domestic violence.
“This year, we are earmarking those funds for activities for in-shelter participants,” says Tracy Whitby, Executive Director. “We want to be able to offer some outings and fun things and groups and get supplies and workbooks and all of those good things to be able to offer additional services to people that we serve.”
This money will also be used to help clients secure necessary identification faster.
Agape House receives a cheque for $5,815 from sales and donations at the Taste of Summer Charity BBQ.During the BBQ lunch, Whitby recalled one specific event from last year that demonstrated the significance of the work they do at Agape House.
“We had been approached by a student who was at one of the schools, not in Steinbach, asking if he would be able to give back to Agape House and use us as a project. And we of course said yes, we are happy to have him do it. Then we learned a little bit more about him and he had actually been in a shelter as a child, with his family.
“And ever since then, he had known he'd always wanted to give back because he was so grateful for the opportunity and the whole experience that he had while he was in shelter. So, for him to come out of that, 10 years later, and to remember that and to know when he had the opportunity that he still wanted to come back and give back. It's just why we do the work that we do. It's so just beautiful, it's amazing and it's so fantastic to see how far that little boy has come, it's just amazing.”
Sandra Paris helps raise money for the shelter and says it is important to get involved.
“People in need and people in crisis have been left behind,” she says. “We get so busy in our day-to-day lives; we forget that there are others out there who are less fortunate. And we tend to overlook the idea that we need to give back, give back to the community and help each other because we only have strong as the weakest person in our community.”
Outreach worker Lisa Fast says the Taste of Summer Charity BBQ was also a great way to connect with the community.
“I think an important piece of this is also just raising awareness around our programs and services. It's great that everyone's coming out and learning more about it.”
The Taste of Summer Charity Barbecue continues next week, Wednesday, August 2, from 11 AM to 1 PM or until supplies last. Proceeds will be donated to Steinbach and Area Animal Rescue.
Thank you to our sponsors who make this all possible:
Royal Le Page Riverbend Realty
-With files from Corny Rempel, Ayesha Badiola.
Sun, Jul 7, 12:00 PM
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