Virtual Hungry Hearts Gala

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Saturday, September 12th, 2020
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

VICTORIA, B.C. While the COVID pandemic forced the cancellation of Victoria’s favourite foodie fundraiser, Our Place has been cooking up a delicious and cheesy replacement

“Hungry Hearts has always been about great food,” says Our Place Chief Executive Officer Julian Daly. “And we love the idea of partnering with our region’s amazing chefs to allow even more people to join in the fun with a unique culinary contest.”

From Aug. 8 to Sept. 8, participating restaurants will add a specialty Mac & Cheese dish to their menu, and patrons will then vote for their favourites. The results will be announced during an Our Place Hungry Hearts Virtual Gala on Saturday, Sept.12, hosted live from Hungry Hearts 2020 Committee Chair Charlotte Salomon’s own home.

“The hotel and restaurant industry has been so supportive of the work we do, and they’ve been hit hard by this health crisis, too,” adds Daly. “This contest will allow us to give back to them, while also raising much-needed funds to support our most vulnerable citizens.”

Salomon agrees: “We wanted to come up with a way to spotlight the vital needs of our street family, and also support our vibrant culinary partners.”

The live streamed Facebook event will include a special performance by Jan Arden’s guitarist, a culinary demonstration from last year’s Hungry Hearts champion, Chef Nicolas Hipperson, Executive Chef of the Union Club, auctions and a special Q & A session with Our Place’s new CEO.

“We definitely have all of the ingredients for a great event,” adds Salomon. “It will be a virtual experience that we can’t wait to share with the entire community.”

The money raised from the Sept. 12 virtual gala will address the double pandemic affecting the Island’s most vulnerable residents through boosting health and wellness initiatives, including funding for outreach paramedics, medical supplies, extended hours for Our Place and other resources.

Viewers will be able to find out the winner of the Mac & Cheese contest and catch the live-streaming event at 5pm on the 12th through a link on the Our Place website: https://www.ourplacesociety.com/get-involved/hungry-hearts-2020

For over 50 years, Our Place has been a unique inner-city community centre serving Greater Victoria’s most vulnerable: working poor, impoverished elderly, mentally and physically challenged, addicted and the homeless. Individuals and businesses provide much of the financial support for its programs and services. Our Place provides 3 meals a day plus snacks, hot showers, education, job skills, health care, addiction recovery services, donated clothing, counseling and outreach services; plus 45 transitional housing units and over 150 shelter spaces. Most importantly, Our Place provides a sense of hope and belonging to our neighbours in need.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Steven Seltzer at [email protected]

August 8-September 8: Go to participating restaurants and order the gourmet Mac and Cheese (dine in or to-go)

September 1-10: Vote for your favourite dish

September 7-12: For the first time, Our Place will open our legendary Hungry Hearts auction to all. Bid on great local items like restaurant and grocery certificates, hotel stays, jewelry and artwork. Watch the event page for auction spotlights and visit www.hibid.ca between September 7-12 to bid.

September 12: Join us for online for the Virtual Hungry Hearts Gala fundraiser and to find out the winning chef/restaurant

Visit our website for the list of participating restaurants, to vote and for the link to Virtual Hungry Hearts

During these challenging times, please help us make difference where we live.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1076512656053960/