Gala seeks volunteers

Organizers of Squamish’s largest homelessness and hunger awareness fundraising event needs the help of the community to make it fly.

While it’s two months away, the annual CRAVE: Dining for Dignity gala is already being planned by Squamish Helping Hands Society. Held on Saturday, Sept. 27, at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park Roundhouse, the street party style event hosts live music, wineries, 15 local chefs and live entertainment. All proceeds from the event go toward the Helping Hands Emergency Shelter. 

“Raising money is not the primary goal of this event,” the society’s executive director Maureen Mackell said. 

The gala helps heighten the public awareness about Squamish’s homeless and housing situation, she said. On any given day, Helping Hands impacts approximately 200 people’s lives through its food and shelter programs. Its children’s lunch program alone reaches 70 youth within the community, Mackell noted.

Each year the gala grows in popularity, she said. The event’s organizers are on the hunt for volunteer greeters, coat check attendants, a crew to set up, people to serve food and bus, people to pour drinks and restock food, and a crew that will clean up after the event. 

“We had about 20 volunteers last year,” Mackell said. 

The event raised $10,000. This year the society faces more expenses as it takes on a new facility. The organization opened up Squamish’s first transitional housing for homeless at a purpose-built residence formerly known as Iris Place. Helping Hands is also moving its emergency shelter from the former downtown fire hall to the house on Wilson Crescent. This opens up the current location for day-time programming and provide male and female sleeping quarters for the emergency shelter, Mackell noted.