By Tyler

After our team’s two experiences providing and serving hot lunches at the Potluck Café on the Downtown East Side, we were honoured to contribute more to this worthy cause. On November 28, Jefferson|Steele Wealth Management was pleased to be the Presenting Sponsor for the 10th annual Grand Caribou Express Benefit Concert at the Vogue Theatre, benefitting the Potluck Café Society. This year the concert, which is led by singer Barney Bentall, raised just over $40,000. Attendance at this year’s concert set a record with 998 tickets sold.

The proceeds will be used for the following:

• To offset food and labour costs associated with Potluck’s Community Meals Program. Through fundraising and corporate sponsorship they are able to provide subsidized meals for a number of social service organizations who work with nutritionally vulnerable residents in the Downtown East Side.
   
• To cover the cost of staffing the Downtown East Side Fresh Produce Market. Operating as an extension of the Downtown East Side Kitchen Tables Food Procurement initiative, the Fresh Produce Market is staffed by individuals who face barriers to traditional employment. By covering the cost of staffing the market they are able to sell the produce at wholesale prices, making it more affordable and accessible for local residents.
   
• To partially subsidize the cost of on-the-job training and wrap-around supports offered to Potluck’s community staff. These two services are fundamental to Potluck’s model of employment support and allow them to make sure that the job opportunities created in the café and catering divisions remain meaningful and sustainable for both the employees and the organization as a whole.

Over the past 10 years the Grand Caribou Express Concerts have raised more than $300,000 for the Potluck Café Society.

I know I can speak for Dwight and Neil, who also attended, when I say that the concert was fantastic. Barney Bentall assembled an amazing group of talented musicians who kept everyone entertained for the whole evening. It was a great show and I am looking forward to going again next year!