What began as a simple idea among classmates approaching a milestone birthday turned into a successful community fundraiser supporting a local organization in need.
The “60 and Still Kickin’” team hosted a social in East Selkirk on April 18, bringing together graduates who had recently turned 60, or soon would, to reconnect, celebrate and give back to the community.
Sue Bakker, one of the organizers, said the idea stemmed from reflecting on friendships and memories over the years, while also recognizing how many former classmates and loved ones are no longer here to celebrate alongside them.
Wanting to create something more meaningful than a traditional reunion, the group decided an old-tyme social would be the perfect way to reconnect while also raising money for a local cause.
As planning began, organizers considered which charity they wanted to support and quickly chose Our Daily Bread Soup Kitchen.
“It was very important that we created a community-focused event,” Bakker said. “Just seeing the whole community come together made everything worth the effort.”
With support from local businesses, volunteers and family members, the event drew strong attendance and community participation through ticket sales, a 50/50 draw, bottle draw and silent auction.
Bakker described the event as an “overwhelming” success, saying she was stunned when organizers calculated the total amount raised, with proceeds reaching $9,230 for Our Daily Bread Soup Kitchen.
“I just couldn’t believe it,” she said. “Weeks later, we are still in awe of how the whole event turned out.”
The “60 and Still Kickin’” team presented a cheque to the soup kitchen in late April, with Barb Pasuar accepting the donation on behalf of Our Daily Bread.
Pasuar said the organization and its volunteers are extraordinarily grateful for the contribution.
“It’s going to go a long way in helping us do something special,” she said. “It will make a significant difference in our operations.”
She said the organization is currently working toward two major projects: an eventual move from Memorial Hall to the food bank building, complete with a new kitchen, and the expansion of its outreach meal program, for which a van was recently purchased.
“I was literally blown away when I realized how much they actually raised,” Pasuar said. “The generosity of people was overwhelming — it was just incredible.”
Our Daily Bread Soup Kitchen serves an average of 60 to 80 lunches daily, Monday through Friday, and as many as 200 meals during special events and occasions.
Pasuar noted that as food costs continue to rise, so does the demand for soup kitchen services, making community donations more important than ever.
Food and monetary donations are accepted Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. through in-person drop-offs or by contacting the organization using the information listed on its website. In addition to meal services, Our Daily Bread also offers groceries, cooking classes and a back-to-school backpack program for community members in need.
Bakker said being able to support organizations such as Our Daily Bread made the months of planning worthwhile.
“It became a place to chitchat, reconnect and support something meaningful,” she said. “But now it’s time for us to put our organizing hats away and focus on retirement over the next few years.”
