Following 10 months of economic volatility and losing their Victoria West facility, the volunteers who run the Rainbow Kitchen meal program are celebrating Rent-Free Day thanks to a $10,000 donation from the Victoria Real Estate Board (VREB).
On September 18, 2012, VREB President Carol Crabb announced that the Victoria Rainbow Kitchen is the winner of the VREB’s Build Your Dream 2012 competition, becoming the Real Estate Board’s charity of the year. “We are pleased to provide rent for the balance of 2012, volunteer REALTORS® to help out at the Kitchen, and lend a hand with some upcoming events,” says Crabb.
“We recognize that we need to offer a package of services,” says Wendy Moreton, Chair of VREB Community Relations. “It’s easy to write a cheque, but what we decided to do this year is go out into our community and show the personal impact we can have on improving the quality of life for residents.”
With the rent paid, Rainbow Kitchen directors can set their sights on other goals, such as donations for food and raising money for other important assets such as a walk-in cooler and replacement chairs that will be easier to sanitize and store.
“This is a significant donation that will set our minds at ease for the next four months as our rent will be paid,” says Garth Walmsley, Chair of the Victoria Rainbow Kitchen Society. “It’s a tremendous show of support from the Victoria business community.”
The Rainbow Kitchen is a volunteer-run, non-profit society that provides breakfasts and lunches to an average 125 people, Monday to Friday. Guests include approximately 40% women, 15% families and 70% seniors who are served by 15 volunteers per shift. In all, 110 volunteers are on the roster.
Pictured (top): Ivan (program participant), Carol Crabb (President, VREB) and Garth Walmsley (President, Rainbow Kitchen) “cut the cheque” for $10,000.
Pictured (bottom): Rainbow Kitchen volunteers take a break from preparing lunch to listen to the announcement.
