A who’s who of Newfoundland and Labrador entertainers will be on Facebook Live Thursday, May 28 at 8 p.m. for a special fundraiser.
Hosted by Mary Walsh, Food Now aims to raise money to feed people in St. John’s who face barriers to accessing food. It’s a collaborative project between the Community Centre Alliance (CCA), its five partner community centres and a downtown restaurant that wishes to remain anonymous.
All proceeds from the fundraiser will go to the CCA, a charitable non-profit organization.
The event will feature performances by The Once, Alan Doyle, Amelia Curran, Shaun Majumder, Petrina Bromley, Mark Critch, Gordon Pinsent, Allan Hawco, Hudson and Rex, Susan Kent, Trent McClellan, David Pomeroy, Amy House, Bernie Stapleton, Veronica Dymond, Codco Reunion, Damhnait Doyle, Kim Stockwood and Stuart Simpson.
The fundraiser will go towards providing 200 hot meals daily, delivered five days a week throughout St. Johns. The funds will also support the purchase of grocery store gift cards which will be distributed by CCA staff to people in need of food.
“We have witnessed many people unable to access food or support services in our city, including children, families, seniors, and persons living with disabilities,” said CCA general manager Kim White in a news release.
“At the start of the pandemic, our work moved to focusing on identifying challenges for the residents in our neighbourhoods and finding solutions. Many food programs and food support services in the city were put on pause because of the pandemic. The Alliance realized that we needed to step in and help.”
Mary Walsh said the goal of the fundraiser is to raise $100,000.
“It is estimated that a staggering 30,000 people went hungry in St. John’s during Snowmaggedon,” said Walsh in the news release.
“Since COVID-19, these numbers continue to climb. There are so many families with empty fridges in this city who face barriers to accessing food – whether it is financial, or they simply are unable to leave their home for health reasons.
“With schools being closed, children no longer have daily access to the school lunch program, which has created even more need. Quite simply, people in St. John’s need food now.”
Tune into the fundraiser on Facebook.
