A group of philanthropically minded local chefs, most of whom have been temporarily laid off due to COVID-19 restaurant closures, are working with Dan’s Legacy to transform surplus food into delicious soups and meals for those in need in the community.
Surplus Food to Feed the Homeless
Chefs TJ Conwi and Bruce Nollert from Ono Vancouver, Chef Warren Chow of Bauhaus Restaurant, Executive Chef Alessandro Vianello of Kitchen Table Restaurants, Chef Mike Boshart, Sous Chef Scott Milton, Chef Sean Macdonald and Chef Jefferson Alvarez are using their culinary expertise and big hearts to create healthy meals from donated ingredients that are then re-distributed back into the community to feed the hungry and the homeless.
Dan’s Legacy has been collecting surplus food from grocery stores and food wholesalers for over 25 years, and feeds more than 300 people in the community each month who face food insecurity. Part of the surplus food collected by Dan’s Legacy is delivered to the chefs, who create 600 litres of soup that they donate back to the non-profit as well as other charities in Metro Vancouver.
The meals and food hampers are handed out at Dan’s Legacy’s Sunday Haven dinner at Aunt Leah’s Place in New Westminster – normally a sit-down meal but now being served as take out until social gatherings are permitted again.
Ensuring the youth have nutritious meals is crucial, as they are some of the most vulnerable in society. Most are dealing with anxiety, depression, self-harm and hard drug use. Many are homeless and malnourished with compromised immune systems, making them vulnerable to COVID-19 and other opportunistic diseases. As an essential health service organization, Dan’s Legacy’s therapists are continuing to provide mental health counselling and other wrap-around supports during the current Coronavirus crisis to ensure these young people get the critical help they need.
Working in partnership with Aunt Leah’s Place in New Westminster, the two charities joined forces to provide housing, life-skills, and trauma-informed therapy to at-risk youth in Metro Vancouver.
You can text DANS to 45678 to send $10 right now and online donations are being accepted here »
Follow Dan’s Legacy on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to learn more about their work in our community.
Get local wine delivered and support a great cause! The BC Hospitality Foundation (“BCHF”) and Township 7 Vineyards & Winery have announced that the BCHF will receive partial proceeds from the sale of Township 7 wine until April 17, 2020.
Township 7 Delivers Wine for a Cause
In light of the tumultuous times, many hospitality workers are facing severe financial distress. To help meet their needs Township 7 is donating $10 per online order to the BCHF (minimum 4 bottles per order). Included in this offer, Township 7 is providing free delivery across Canada. The wines are available online under the code SUPPORT10 (at checkout).
“We’re all feeling the tremendous impact of the COVID-19 crisis and that is particularly the case with the hospitality industry. We wanted to find a way to give back to the community as well as continue to support our customers and employees. We hope our $10 donation for each online order will help provide a lifeline to hospitality workers,” said Mike Raffan, General Manager, Township 7 Vineyards & Winery.
The BCHF’s Executive Director, Dana Harris, says, “I am always amazed by the generosity of individuals and businesses like Township 7 in the hospitality sector. We’re grateful for the support we receive from the public, but support from within our own community is essential for us to deliver on our mission, which includes not only providing financial assistance to hospitality workers who are facing financial crisis due to medical circumstances, but also scholarships for up-and-coming individuals in the field.”
BCHF is a registered charity that raises funds to support those in the hospitality industry facing financial crisis due to a health issue. In addition, the BCHF offers a scholarship program to foster the development of the next generation of workers and industry leaders.
Follow Township 7 on Twitter and Facebook for more information.
Update as of February 2021: Trails in the District are open, with the exception of Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge and Quarry Rock. The re-opening date for these two trails is not yet known. Please remember to remain six feet from other trail users, and if you can, visit during less busy times.
Yesterday, the City of Vancouver issued a PSA to “enjoy our parks but stay apart” and unfortunately the message didn’t reach everyone. In fact I heard from a source that those trying to distance on trails were actually laughed at. Now, in the North Vancouver District, Quarry Rock and Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge are now closed due to the inability to ensure physical distancing on those trails and narrow passages.
A District of North Vancouver Park Ranger took this photo on March 21, 2020 at Quarry Rock
Quarry Rock and Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge Closed
From the North Vancouver District on Facebook: “Quarry Rock and Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge are closed until further notice. Enforcement will take effect as of 7:00am Sunday, March 22, 2020.
The District of North Vancouver has taken this unusual step as visitors are not following orders of the provincial health officer to maintain a physical distance of 2 metres, despite on-site signage and staff enforcing physical distancing at trail entrances. These two public spaces also have spots on trails or bridges that make proper distances a challenge to keep. Please ensure you remain two arms’ lengths away from others.”
Mount Seymour and Cypress Provincial Park Closures
BC Parks has announced that at Mount Seymour and Cypress Provincial Park, access is restricted to some lower elevation trails; parking and road access closed.
The Stawamus Chief has been closed on March 22nd. On March 21st hikers were still using the trail and all climbing the same ladder to reach the peak.
Metro Vancouver Regional Parks
There is a full closure of Brae Island Regional Park in the Township of Langley and the closure of parking lots at Boundary Bay Regional Park, Deas Island Regional Park and Delta Heritage Airpark in the City of Delta; both within municipalities that have declared a local state of emergency. All other Metro Vancouver Regional Parks are currently open, though park facilities such as playgrounds, docks, rental facilities and picnic areas are closed.
Playgrounds and Outdoor Recreation
Most cities and municipalities have closed access to their playgrounds and on March 22nd the City of Vancouver announced that they were closing all public outdoor recreation facilities within parks and beaches. Volleyball, skate parks, field sports, tennis, and more are now closed.
In Delta, Fred Gingell Park is entirely closed because of its stairs. On Sunday afternoon the City of Coquitlam also confirmed it has closed sport fields, sport courts and skateparks, as well as public washrooms in parks.
BC Hydro is closing Buntzen Lake and Hayward Lake Recreation Area facilities including picnic areas, docks, beach and boat launch.
Stay in the Know
Here are links to your local parks Facebook pages (since they are frequently updated) so you can get all of the latest information:
Enjoy Vancouver Parks but stay apart, is the headline of an email I received from the Park Board this morning. Their message urges everyone to continue to practice social distancing even in the open air.
“We’re not to be out playing basketball. We’re not to be out sitting together in large groups at the beach watching the beautiful sunsets that we have,” was the massage from Dr. Bonnie Henry, BC’s Provincial Health Officer on Friday (March 22, 2020).
Since most indoor public places are closed, she does encourage going outside in order to get fresh air and aid with our mental health. However, social distancing is still to be practiced, even in the fresh air.
Social Distancing in Vancouver Parks During COVID-19 Outbreak
People not in self-isolation do not need to remain indoors. However, everyone needs to avoid being in close contact with people in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. To protect yourself and others:
Keep at least 2 metres (6 feet) from others
Visit parks and beaches during less busy times
Limit the number of visits to parks and beaches to provide opportunities for others to access
Avoid gathering in groups
Limit high-touch recreational activities such as volleyball or frisbee
Wash or sanitize hands after touching communal surfaces
Stay home if you are feeling sick, especially if you are coughing or experiencing a fever
The Park Board and City of Vancouver continue to work with public health officials and multiple partners on the COVID-19 response. The situation is evolving quickly so direction from local health authorities and the City of Vancouver may change.
UPDATE from the Park Board March 22, 2020: “We are closing all public outdoor recreation facilities within parks and beaches. Volleyball, skate parks, field sports, tennis, and more are now closed.” Logs are being removed from English Bay Beach and parking lots for Vancouver Parks will be closed.
It’s a live concert from a safe social distance! The Diesel Bird Festival will feature some of Canada’s favourite musicians and hosted by Dan Davidson on Instagram.
Diesel Bird Festival Online
Where:Instagram When: Saturday, March 28, 2020 at 11:00am (March 29 TBA) Cost: FREE
“We have to do our best to take care of each other by staying away from each other,” say festival organizers which include Dan Davidson, Travis Nesbitt, Joel Jelinski, and Chuck Erman. “We want to give music fans an excuse to stay in and enjoy themselves. They can have an intimate music festival right from their couch.”
Confirmed Lineup
Dan Davidson Dallas Smith Tebey Clayton Bellamy Nice Horse Andrew Hyatt Jason Blaine Aaron Goodvin Aaron Pritchett Jo Jo Mason The Recklaws Josh Ramsay Wide Mouth Mason
Jason McCoy Jess Moskaluke Eric Ethridge Meghan Patrick The Dungarees Kristin Carter Matt Lang Shawn Austin JayWalker James Barker Band Corb Lund Big Sugar Shawn Hook
Kudos to the team and Blxck Marketing for getting this up and running so quickly, with some wonderfully consistent branding to boot!
The official schedule has not yet been released (it’s expected Monday, March 23rd) but I’m sure you’ll want to tune in for the whole thing anyway! You can support the effort through donations here which will go to Red Cross Canada. Follow on Facebook for more info and updates.
