The annual CBC Vancouver Open House and Food Bank Day returns this year with a virtual twist on Friday, December 4th. In keeping with tradition, Open House in Your House will feature a full day of special programming on CBC Radio One in support of Food Banks BC. New for this year, CBC hosts will be available for virtual meet and greets with the public across the province.
CBC Vancouver Open House and Food Bank Day
While visiting the CBC Vancouver broadcast centre is a special holiday tradition in the community, in adherence to physical distancing protocols and to promote public safety, the CBC Vancouver building will not be open to the public for tours or live broadcasts this year.
In addition to raising funds for local food banks this year, CBC Vancouver will be encouraging acts of kindness in the community to spread goodwill and cheer during an especially challenging holiday season.
The schedule for CBC British Columbia’s Food Bank Day on December 4th includes:
The Early Edition with Stephen Quinn featuring special guests from 5:00am to 8:30am
An extended and combined edition of BC Today with Michelle Eliot &North by Northwest with Sheryl MacKay starting at noon
On The Coast with Gloria Macarenko featuring unique stories and guests from 3:00pm to 6:00pm
Digital Meet and Greets from 9:00am to 5:30pm from the comfort of home with:
Mike Killeen, Dan Burritt, Johanna Wagstaffe, Stephen Quinn, Gloria Macarenko, Michelle Eliot, Sheryl MacKay, Margaret Gallagher, Angela Sterritt, Chris Walker, Sarah Penton, Carolina de Ryk, Faith Fundal, Gregor Craigie, Kathryn Marlow, Shelley Joyce
For 33 years, British Columbians have been donating to food banks at CBC/Radio-Canada’s annual Open House and Food Bank Day, raising more than $10 million for food banks in B.C. since its inception in 1986.
While 2020 Christmas markets and craft fairs have been cancelled, the folks at Sweet Thea Bakery are coming to your holiday shopping rescue with the Sweet Thea Holiday Pop-Up. In addition to offering their own celebrated array of traditional European holiday baking (fruitcake, stollen, lebkuchen, plum pudding and many other delectable offerings), they’ve brought together a range of popular products from over a dozen favourite food-related vendors you’d normally find at seasonal markets.
Sweet Thea Holiday Pop-Up
Where: 4305 Main Street (27th & Main) in Vancouver When: Daily 11:00am to 6:00pm until Sunday, December 27, 2020. Open until 7:00pm on Fridays.
You might recognize Sweet Thea from Circle Craft, Make-It, Out of Hand, and many other markets and craft fairs. The bakery is also a favourite vendor at farmers markets throughout the Lower Mainland (including the Trout Lake, Kitsilano, and Riley Park markets in Vancouver).
There will be limited access to the shop and it will be on a first-come, first-served basis. It is recommended that you make a pre-order online and you can also send in a mail order. Pick-ups can be made at the Pop Up on Main, the bakery in Langley at 203 – 20540 Duncan Way, or at the Quay Market at Tsawwassen BC Ferries terminal (outbound passengers, in-terminal only).
Giveaway
I am very pleased to offer a Sweet Thea Holiday Joy Gift Box (value $104) to one lucky Miss604 reader/follower!
The Holiday Joy Gift Box includes: Chocolate Lebkuchen Cookies, Stollen with Marzipan, Sweet Thea Bakery Honey Hearts, Frostbite Syrups Raspberry Vanilla Cordial, Greendale Herb & Vine Lavender Infused Unpasteurized Honey, Le Meadows Pantry Cranberry Preserves, Maples Sugar Shack Amber Maple Syrup Gift Bottle, Take A Fancy Bean to Bar Dark Milk Chocolate Fleur de Sel Caramel, and The Nut Merchant Dark Chocolate Raspberry Almonds!
Share one of Sweet Thea’s Instagram posts to your story and tag @Miss604 (1 entry)
Click below to participate on Twitter (1 entry)
[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win a Holiday Joy Gift Box from the @SweetTheaMarket Pop-Up on Main (value $104) http://ow.ly/pKOn50CjfVI” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Thursday, November 19, 2020. The winner will be able to pick up their holiday box at the Main Street Pop-Up or the bakery in Langley.
We’re heading full steam ahead into the holiday season however with current COVID safety restrictions in BC, we’re also heading back into our own homes. The good news is that there’s a steady lineup of online programming right now to keep you entertained. Here are a few things to do in Vancouver this weekend — from home, and beyond:
The DTES Street Store, a free, outdoor pop-up clothing store for people experiencing homelessness, returns for the seventh year on December 12th. Employ To Empower will host the event at a Hastings Street venue to provide a dignified and uplifting shopping experience for those experiencing homelessness.
DTES Street Store Returns
When: Saturday, December 12, 2020 from 10:00am to 4:00pm Where: 58 West Hastings, Vancouver
Volunteers Needed
Volunteers have four different time shifts to select on event day, with those interested to register through this form. There is a mandatory virtual volunteer training session on Monday, November 23, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. As well, the Street Store is asking for additional fund donations to help cover expenses for PPE gear, venue, heaters security, operation costs, and ETE programming.
Other ways to get involved includes becoming a Donation Champion. This year, the community has expressed a need for warm winter jackets, men’s and women’s clothing (specifically pants), backpacks, blankets, closed toe shoes, bags, jewelry, and toiletries in good condition. Summer clothes, children’s clothes, books, and household items are not accepted.
Dropping Off Donations
Donors are asked to drop off their new or gently used items on Saturday, November 28; Saturday, December 5; and Thursday, December 10, 2020 from 10:00am to 4:00pm at Coastal Church Commercial, located at 1645 North Grandview Hwy.
Donors are asked to stay in their cars and wait for volunteers to help remove items in order to limit touch points.
“At the Street Store, we offer a hand up rather than a hand out,” said Christina Wong, Executive Director of Employ To Empower. “We want to provide a dignified holiday shopping experience where residents can pick what they want and need at no cost. With all the additional challenges that many are facing in the DTES, we know that this is an even more important year for us to hold this event for the community, and we’re grateful for all the support we’ve seen so far.”
According to a recent The Vantage Point report, there has been an increase of 61% in homelessness in the DTES since 2019, and 74% of nonprofit organizations have experienced a reduction in revenue from fundraising.
Since 2014, the Street Store has worked with more than 350 volunteers, shared nearly 50,000 donations, and spread holiday cheer to more than 5,600 residents.
The 2020 event will include added COVID-19 regulations, such as a capacity of no more than 50 people at the outdoor venue at one time, as well as sanitation stations, clean donations, temperature checks, line up leaders, and PPEs. In addition to clothes and toiletries, the Street Store offers free food and drinks, as well as haircuts.
My list of Christmas activities in Vancouver for 2020 is sure looking different, as with pretty much everything else this year (2019 for comparison). Some popular events are going ahead with special measures and precautions in place, others are cancelled entirely. Some events are moving online, while others are switching up to a drive-through or changing to a ticketed/timed entry system.
Christmas Activities in Vancouver 2020
Please read the details of each event carefully on their websites, book online or by phone when necessary, and have a face covering handy for in-person experiences. Here are some options for holiday entertainment and fun with health and safety in mind:
Free Christmas Activities in Vancouver
UPDATE November 19, 2020: New provincial health orders/restrictions today limit social interactions and gatherings including those under 50 people, that were previously allowed. This is for a two week period. Check each website below for the latest updates and cancellations, or postponements. UPDATE December 7, 2020: The social gathering restrictions have been extended until January 8, 2021 with the exception of drive-through events (with your household only).
Lights of Hope at St Paul’s, Hope at Home When: November 19, 2020 from 6:00pm to 6:40pm (launch) Where: Online (and in person) About: A livestream of the display will be available online from November 19th until January 4th. For those wanting to visit the display in person throughout the holiday season, please remember to do so safely, with “fewer faces and bigger spaces.” Limited edition Hope at Homeholiday star lanterns are also available for purchase to show your support for Lights of Hope from home.
Lumière Vancouver When: English Bay Extended until February 2021 Where: Jim Deva Plaza, English Bay (West End, Vancouver) About: Returning to the foot of Denman Street is local favourite, “Davie”, a stunning, illuminated 24-foot-tall grizzly bear. Davie joins Luna, Stanley and Eugenia, a collection of nature-inspired light sculptures at English Bay. Lumière is also delighted to be bringing a new light installation to Vancouver this year, Prismatica, created by RAW Design.
Surrey Tree Lighting Festival When: Saturday, November 21, 2020 Where: Online (then Surrey City Hall Plaza) About: Hosted by Santa and Mrs. Claus, this year’s online event connects everyone at home on Facebook and YouTube Live. The livestream will feature performances from Warren Dean Flandez, Ashley Pater Music, Zaac Pick, DACEY, Quinn Pickering and more.
Vancouver Tree Lighting When: Friday, November 27, 2020 at 6:00pm Where: Watch online About: From the comfort of your home watch Amacon and CTV Vancouver as they officially light the 75 foot Amacon Christmas Tree. With over 1150 branches and over 100,000 lights the tree stands as a beacon of light this holiday season and a perfect place to take that holiday selfie through December. Post a pic in front of the tree and tag @amaconlivewell to show off your holiday spirit. Amacon will donate to the Vancouver International Children’s Festival as part of its ‘Light It Up’ campaign that has raised over $1 million for local charities.
Cloverdale Christmas Tree Tour When: December 1-18, 2020 from 9:30am to 4:30pm Where: Museum of Surrey (17710 56a Ave, Surrey) About: Visit Museum of Surrey to see trees custom decorated by 25 Cloverdale businesses. Pre-registration is required so we can keep attendance numbers low and maintain ample space for social distancing. Book your one hour spot early to see the trees and tour the museum after.
Holidays at Highstreet When: Until January 1, 2020 12:00pm to 6:00pm (9:00pm Fri/Sat) Where: 3122 Mt. Lehman Road, Abbotsford (Exit #83 off Hwy 1) About: Holidays at Highstreet will include five unique Instagrammable installations by Canadian artists that you can enjoy safely at a distance. Free to register, book your spot online in advance.
Forest of Miracles When: December 5 to January 2, 2021 Where: Dundarave Beach About: West Vancouver celebrates the Christmas season with its Festival of Lights event at Dundarave Beach. Area businesses and community organizations decorate Christmas trees which are then on display for the month of December. They are pretty to see at night, and on the four Saturdays leading up to Christmas there is usually live entertainment and other family-friendly activities at the beach. In 2020 the festival just features the Forest of Miracles Christmas tree displays. No live events are happening because of COVID-19.
