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FOOD SECURITY CBC’s 30th annual Food Bank Day and Open House raised a record setting $780,000 for 99 food banks across B.C., the single largest campaign to feed the province’s less fortunate. A far cry from the $462 and boxes of canned goods that was collected back in 1986 when Afternoon Show host Patrick Munro initiated the effort, the food drive — orchestrated by CBC stations around the province — has seen generous British Columbians donate millions of dollars to help food banks over the past three decades.

Thousands tuned in or visited the Hamilton Street studios to lend their support and take a behindthe-scenes look at the newsroom and studios. Among those greeting visitors was Anne Penman, producer of that initial two-hour food bank program. “The city was basking in the afterglow of Expo 86 yet the lineups at the Vancouver food bank kept growing,” recalled the CBC staffer. Penman has coordinated the annual tradition ever since. Vancouver hosts Rick Cluff, Gloria Macarenko and Stephen Quinn were joined by some of the network biggest personalities, including CBC’s chief correspondent Peter Mansbridge.

Each month, more than 103,000 people reportedly receive assistance from food banks across B.C. And for the third consecutive year, the number of food bank users have increased, a disproportionately large number of those were children.

RINGING IN CHRISTMAS The Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle is one of the city’s most recognizable holiday symbols. The first kettle was put out in St. John’s back in 1906. Today, the familiar kettles and bell ringers can be seen and heard in more than 2,000 locations nationwide. The Hope in the City Breakfast in Vancouver kicks off the provincial $4 million campaign. For the 15th consecutive year, the city’s business community once again came together in the early hours of the morning to ring in the holiday season, raise funds and celebrate the work of the Salvation Army.

Presented by Scotiabank and held in partnership with the Salvation Army Vancouver Advisory Board, the annual tradition attracted a thousand influential business people and friends to the Vancouver Convention Centre and collected $315,000 to kickstart the Christmas Campaign. Salvation Army chairman Ron McLaughlin and Canada Wide Publishing CEO Peter Legge fronted the morning festivities, which featured a hearty breakfast and keynote address by Canadian sports personality Michael Landsberg, a mental health advocate who shared his very personal battle with anxiety and depression.

Monies raised will support B.C. programs and services to help individuals, families, and communities fallen on difficult times. Last year, the agency provided support to more than 538,000 people in the province. Sally Ann support includes hunger relief, shelter for the homeless, rehabilitation for those struggling with addiction, and long-term and palliative care. The Salvation Army Christmas Campaign runs until Dec. 24.

STACKED HOUSE Christmas came early for QMUNITY. Celebrating its sixth year, the firm’s Stack the Rack fundraiser, presented by Vancity, was a qualified success for B.C.’s Queer Resource Centre. The Telus Gardens roof top wine-tasting gala brought together 200 supporters who share a vision of a thriving LGBT community.

Hosted by local personality Conni Smudge and local musicians Jocelyn Macdougall and Connie Buna of Queer As Funk, the vino-witha-view affair saw attendees enjoy a night of merrymaking while introduced to a selection of carefully curated B.C. wines. This year’s edition featured bottles by Blasted Church, Blue Mountain, Daydreamer, Howling Bluff, Meyer Family Vineyards, and The View, with canapés courtesy of The Lazy Gourmet.

Monies tallied from tipple fest will run QMUNITY programs accessed by 13,000 folks annually.

Serving as a community hub, the resource centre endeavours to respond to B.C.’s queer communities’ needs and helps them flourish. Dedicated to improving queer and trans lives through services, connection and leadership, the registered charity also works to educate organizations on how to be LGBT-inclusive. “Our role is to build the connections to support long term wellness and well-being”, said newly appointed QMUNITY executive director C.J. Rowe.

CBC’s Anne Penman, Shiral Tobin and Amy Bell were all smiles after a record $780,000 was posted at the 30th annual Open House and Food Bank Day. Penman initiated the food drive in 1986.

Stephen Quinn and Margaret Gallagher were among the CBC personalities who greeted guests to the yearly Open House held at the network’s broadcast centre on 700 Hamilton St.

B.C. Scotiabank’s Grace Kim and Rob Wilkins presented a cheque to Greater Vancouver Food Bank CEO Aart Schuurman Hess. They were among thousands of companies and individuals who contributed to the record haul for 99 food banks across

Food bank volunteers greeted city councillor Adriane Carr who made a donation to the CBC event, the single largest fundraising drive for B.C. food banks.

Bard on the Beach artistic director Christopher Gaze and Vancouver Symphony Orchestra maestro Bramwell Tovey lent their support to the annual food drive hosted by the CBC. Each month, more than 103,000 people reportedly receive assistance from food...

Salvation Army divisional secretary Patricia Cuff and advisory board member Thomas Skidmore kicked off their annual Christmas Kettle campaign at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

Local personality Conni Smudge was among those who helped make spirits bright fronting the live auction at QMUNITY’s seasonal tipple fest, Stack the Rack.

Queer As Funk’s Jocelyn Macdougall and Connie Buna emceed and performed at QMUNITY’s seasonal soirée on the rooftop of Telus Gardens.

Wayne Thompson, charitable gift adviser of the Salvation Army’s B.C. Division, tickled the ivories at the morning fundraiser.

Winnie Leong and Darren Glazier were on hand representing Scotiabank, sponsor of the Salvation Army’s 15th Hope in the City Breakfast.

Executive director CJ Rowe, left thanked Vancity board chair Anita Braha, centre and West End branch manager Stephanie Lund for their continued sponsorship of Stack the Rack, the firm’s flagship fundraiser.

Blasted Church’s Danielle Andrews, left, and Howling Bluff’s Vicky Ainley, right, uncorked their finest bottles with QMUNITY’s Jeffrey Preiss at Stack the Rack, a benefit for BC’s Queer Resource Centre.

Ron McLaughlin, left, chairman of the Salvation Army Vancouver Advisory Board, and Lt. Colonel Brian Venables, divisional commander, Salvation Army of B.C., right, welcomed sports personality Michael Landsberg, a mental health advocate, to their annual...