An upcoming fundraiser gives folks a chance to cook at home with an award-winning pastry chef – and support dozens of programs for families.
Family Day marked the launch of ticket sales for Fam Jam Kitchen, an upcoming fundraiser for Family Services of Greater Vancouver.
Fam Jam Kitchen invites donors to participate in a virtual cooking class led by Chef Bruno Feldeisen, an award-winning pastry chef and a judge on The Great Canadian Baking Show. With ingredients provided by Fresh Prep, the live 90-minute, family-friendly event pledges to be full of engaging and interactive content for adults and children alike, including tips to get kids excited about mealtimes.
“Our team is committed to helping B.C. families build resilience and find community, not only by sharing necessary skills and knowledge, but also walking alongside them as they develop a reliable support system,” Maria Howard, CEO of Family Services of Greater Vancouver, said in a news release. “The Fam Jam Kitchen fundraiser is a great way for local families to support each other while teaching their children the importance of paying it forward to families who need a little extra help.”
Prior to the April 9 virtual event, supporters will be sent a meal kit for three adults or two adults with two children, with each kit including a starter (chicken Casesar salad) and a main (BBQ chicken pizza) from Fresh Prep for the cook-along experience – as well as a handcrafted dessert from Chef Bruno.
Family Services of Greater Vancouver provides more than 50 programs, services and workshops across Greater Vancouver that help families facing food insecurity, financial instability, single parenting, homelessness and other pervasive challenges. In addition, the non-profit’s counsellors, therapists and staff serve 12,000 people annually, empowering them to create lasting positive change in their lives.
“The path toward resilience often comes in finding community – in finding family – among non-judgmental, compassionate people,” Howard said. “Our programs and services are designed with that in mind – to provide the immediate care, long-term supports and upstream solutions needed to build stronger families.”
Patricia Steiner, associate director of community education and development services, said Family Services of Greater Vancouver has delivered programs to people in New Westminster for more than three decades.
“Over the years, we’ve worked with families, including seniors, as they grapple with a range of challenges – from food security, to learning a new language, to understanding how to receive government benefits and access community services and resources,” she said in a statement to the Record. “The Stronger Families Fund is going to make the work we do in New Westminster even more accessible to those who need support.”
Tickets to the Fam Jam Kitchen fundraiser are $100 per family and are available at www.famjamkitchen.ca.
Alternatively, people can support Family Services of Greater Vancouver by making a contribution to the recently launched Stronger Families Fund, which connects B.C. families to counselling and trauma services, conflict mediation, community kitchens, life skills development for youth with special needs, and literacy programs and workshops. To donate, visit www.fsgv.ca/stronger-families.
Follow Theresa McManus on Twitter @TheresaMcManus
Email tmcmanus@newwestrecord.ca
