On Sunday October 11, 2020, carya, in partnership with the Calgary Flames, Real Canadian Superstore, and Calgary Housing Company, will be delivering 125 free turkey dinners to residents of East Village Place and King Tower. East Village Place provides more than 170 affordable homes for seniors, families, and individuals. King Tower is a low income housing complex for seniors 60 years and older.
Every year, the Calgary Flames coordinates a turkey dinner in memory of former Calgary Sports and Entertainment employee Gail Miller, and this year they have chosen to partner with carya. Using turkeys donated by Real Canadian Superstore, the culinary team at Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation has created a turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Many of the residents receiving this meal are not able to be with family due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while others live alone and do not have the capacity to cook a full turkey dinner by themselves. This meal is a way to make Thanksgiving a bit more special for these deserving residents.
This is just the beginning of the food programming that carya will offering to residents of East Village and beyond. Opening in early 2021, carya’s brand new Village Commons space will provide many opportunities to come together and share a meal. Alongside a counselling centre, an art studio, recreation spaces, and commons areas for neighbours to gather and get to know each other, Village Commons will feature a state-of-the-art community kitchen with opportunities for cooking classes, community meals, nutrition workshops, and more.
“We are delighted to be able to share this turkey dinner with residents of East Village who will soon be our neighbours once Village Commons is open,” says carya CEO, Monique Auffrey. “We know that 65% of homes in East Village are single occupant, including many of the suites to which we are delivering. We have already heard from residents who are immensely excited to be receiving this meal and feel touched knowing that someone is thinking about them.”
“Food security and support of vulnerable populations has been a priority for the Calgary Flames Foundation COVID-19 Community Support Program, which had distributed over $2.5 million since March 2020. With support from the Gail Miller Turkey Fund in partnership with carya, we are honoured to be able to deliver a home cooked meal from the Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation culinary team to the homes of seniors and families in our community,” says Candice Goudie, executive director of the Calgary Flames Foundation.
“We’re pleased to partner with carya and the Calgary Flames for such a wonderful initiative,” says Real Canadian Superstore District Manager, Jared Laidley. “During these times of uncertainty, we want to give back where we can and are happy to bring some holiday cheer to the residents of East Village Place and King Tower.”
Pick up from the Scotiabank Saddledome kitchens will take place at 10 AM, with deliveries in the two buildings taking place from 10:30AM – 12PM.
For more information about carya’s Village Commons project, please visit caryacalgary.ca/village-commons.