A community fundraiser aims to help keep the doors open at the Lloydminster Community Youth Centre.
Chefs Got Your Back runs Sept. 17 at Rolling Green Fairways, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. in the pavilion.
Patty Milnthorp, community engagement liaison for the SPARK Foundation, said the youth centre relies almost entirely on grant writing and fundraising to stay open.
“The Youth Centre receives no consistent government funding,” said Milnthorp.
The centre logged more than 6,000 visits last year, a number Milnthorp said points to the scale of need in the community.
Guests will enjoy a menu of drink, dessert, appetizer and two main dishes chosen by centre youth, each reimagined by the Rolling Green chef. Youth volunteers will greet guests at the door and serve the signature drink, with videos featuring the centre’s youth playing throughout the evening.
A silent auction will also run through the evening, with donated packages including a handcrafted king size quilt, a 65 inch TV, an Xbox, a kayak and a barbecue gazebo, among other items.
Single tickets cost $65. A table of eight costs $500, a savings of $20 over buying individually. (GET TICKETS HERE)
Money raised supports the centre’s core programs, including free transportation for youth from schools across Lloydminster and a hot meals program that serves free meals three evenings a week.
The centre also runs a Let’s Talk speaker series covering topics like leadership, online safety and relationships, along with an intergenerational block party partnership with the City of Lloydminster. Youth volunteer at senior residences for those events, helping with setup, food prep and games.
Tickets can be bought by scanning the QR code on event posters, through sparklloydminster.ca under the events tab, by e-transfer to Billing@sparklloydminster.ca, or in person at the SPARK admin office at 4201 47 Ave. Mailed payments can be sent to SPARK Lloydminster, Box 1523, Lloydminster, SK S9V 1K5.
Milnthorp said the evening is meant to bring the community together around a shared cause.
“This evening brings the community together for a fun and meaningful night of connection, food and support for local youth,” she said.
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