The Wellington Catholic District School Board is pleased to announce the return of the annual Bishop’s Dinner in a reimagined virtual format to be held on October 21, 2021.
For the past 19 years the Wellington Catholic, in partnership with the Diocese of Hamilton, has organized the annual Bishop’s Dinner with all proceeds supporting organizations within the Guelph and Wellington community. The Bishop’s Dinner has been a tremendous success since its inauguration thanks to the generous support and enthusiastic participation from the community.
Through this campaign the school board continues its long tradition of providing much-needed support to community organizations within Guelph and Wellington Community.
“We recognize the need in our community for supportive programs is as great or greater than before. We invite you to consider donating to this campaign and show your support to organizations in our community who are addressing issues of food security, mental health, and access to programs for children and families,” commented Michael Glazier, director of education at Wellington Catholic.
In place of the traditional Bishop’s Dinner, the event will provide supporters with three opportunities to donate to community beneficiaries. Members of the community can directly sponsor or donate to the campaign, purchase an event ticket which includes access to our virtual Bishop’s Dinner event on October 21 and receive a take-out meal, or participate in an online auction. Funds from the event go directly to supporting community organizations serving families in our Guelph and Wellington County communities.
“We have a long history of supporting local agencies through this event and fundraising campaign and look forward to providing support once again this year,” said Glazier.
This year, net proceeds from the reimagined Bishop’s Dinner will be directed to the Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington, Canadian Mental Health Association – Wellington-Waterloo, the Centre Wellington Food Bank, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Guelph and Wellington County.
“Each of these organizations has experienced a great increase in demand during this pandemic and are in need of your support for the future,” shared Glazier. “These organizations help provide assistance to our families and members of our Guelph and Wellington County communities through programs and services such as food vouchers, breakfast programs, counselling supports, and access to programs for children.”
From support received after last year’s event, the Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington provided 1400 healthy meals to hungry students through the Food and Friends program, as well as 50 recreation kits to children and youth who were isolated at home, giving them resources for creativity, learning and physical activity through the free to grow campaign. Following a challenging year, the Children’s Foundation will commit donations to supporting those in the community who need it most.
“Since the start of the pandemic, the Foundation has evolved its programs and practices to ensure we are uplifting children and youth in our community. With the support from the Bishop’s Dinner, we will be able to continue supporting those who need it most. In the absence of recreational sports and camps during part of the summer this year, we were able to once again provide Free to Grow at Home kits, filled with creative and recreational items to keep children active and engaged while at home. Continuing to support the physical and mental well-being of children and youth has been so important to us over the course of COVID-19. We were also able to pivot our in-school Food and Friends program to deliver nutritious food to children while learning remotely. We are so appreciative of the continued support from the Bishop’s Dinner because of this support we are able to help local children when they need us most!” said Emma Rogers, CEO of the Children’s Foundation.
New to the list of beneficiaries this year, CMHA WW hopes to use donations to support mental health initiatives in the community.
“Thanks to the generous support from the Bishop’s Dinner, CMHA WW is able to support the eating disorders and early psychosis programs which have seen an increase in waitlists over the course of the pandemic. The funds will also help to create a suicide safer community by supporting suicide prevention programs at CMHA WW. More people are reaching out for help, and community support such as this goes a long way to helping those who need mental health supports quickly,” said Helen Fishburn, CEO of CMHA WW.
The annual Bishop’s Dinner will return in a reimagined virtual format on October 21, 2021. To purchase tickets or provide a donation, please visit https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/guelph-community-foundation/events/2021-bishops-dinner-for-community-needs/ .