Here at Food Network Canada, we’ll take any opportunity to break bread with our friends, but the meals taste even better when we’re dining for a good cause!
The Big Social is a national cross-country food party that brings people together and raises funds for low-income communities. Like many other nations, Canada has been deeply affected by COVID-19 and for the many Canadians living on a low income, there is a heightened sense of anxiety. Food insecurity was already an urgent problem, with 1 in 8 Canadians struggling to put food on the table. Now, 1 in 7 people are experiencing food insecurity during the ongoing pandemic.
With The Big Social, you can connect in person or online (depending on your community public health guidelines) to help fight poverty and food insecurity. From October 1-31, raise funds, share food, have fun, show you care!
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The best part is that anyone can host, and joining is as easy as 1-2-3. Go to www.bigsocial.ca to register to host. Once you’ve registered, you can set a fundraising goal for your dinner, and send out invites to your friends, family or coworkers to join and support low-income communities through donations!
Your donation funds programs that promote food skills, connection and advocacy. Community Food Centres Canada works with over 300 partners in 175 communities across the country, bringing people together around food—in kitchens, dining rooms, and gardens—while fighting for a more equitable society.
An example of donation breakdowns:
● $30 can give seniors a healthy cooking session
● $50 can provide fresh fruit and vegetables for a family
● $75 can bring food literacy education to kids
● $100 can grow a garden in low-income communities
● $175 can help to open a new Community Food Centre
Here are three ways you can get involved:
1. Cook: Make something delicious and drop it off to friends or family for a donation.
2. Create: Share your favourite recipe. Make or bake it together with your pod.
3. Connect: Host a dinner party for a good cause and ask your guests to donate.
Register to host an event for The Big Social at www.bigsocial.ca.
For more, check out how FoodShare’s Paul Taylor breaks down food insecurity (and how Canadians can help) and how food injustice inspired this 23-year-old to start her own farm.