FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
- Friday, July 12, 2024 -
UGM’s Annual Summer BBQ Has Been Helping Families in the DTES Make Memories For 25 Years
Glowbal Restaurant Group and UGM team up to boost hope and summer fun for families in the DTES.
(Vancouver, B.C.) – For the 25th year running, Union Gospel Mission (UGM) is excited to host its annual Summer BBQ, alongside lead sponsor, Glowbal, for a delightful time of community bonding, delicious food, and family friendly activities. Created with families who might be experiencing food or housing insecurity in mind, the event is completely free and open to the public to enjoy. On Saturday, July 13th from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., individuals and families in the Downtown Eastside can come to Oppenheimer Park for all the fun festivities.
“UGM staff are really welcoming, the food is good, and it feels like a friendly place,” says Mary Mitchell, a mom of four whose family hasn’t missed a Summer BBQ for eight years. “I feel a strain with how expensive everything is now. It helps to have events like Summer BBQ, where my kids can have fun and I don’t have to worry about the cost.”
UGM Spokesperson Sarah Chew shares, “Summer can be a hard time for families who don’t have the resources to send their kids to day camp, or who struggle with the extra meals kids need without school-provided lunches,” says Chew, “We want families to know they aren’t alone in their struggles.”
Kids will be able to play on bouncy castles, get their faces painted, and enjoy lawn games with their families. Adults will have lots to enjoy, too — Glowbal Restaurant Group will be grilling up delicious burgers and hot dogs with all the fixings. With an estimated turnout of around 3,000 people throughout the day, Glowbal’s expertise and excellence in food service will be a treat for everyone who attends.
"Glowbal Restaurant Group feels great to be back sponsoring the Summer BBQ,” says President and CEO of Glowbal Group, Emad Yacoub, “We have always valued giving back to our community."
It takes over 100 dedicated volunteers to make the Summer BBQ possible, including many Glowbal chefs, staff, and longtime patrons, who are excited to return to the BBQ to volunteer.
UGM and Glowbal hope families will make more core memories at Summer BBQ, which is a celebration of summer and the DTES community.
“It’s the perfect opportunity to spend time with family and friends, have a great meal, and laugh!” says Mitchell.
Sarah Chew, Mary Mitchell, and Emad Yacoub will be on-site at the BBQ for interviews.
MEDIA EVENT DETAILS
Date: Saturday, July 13th, 2024
Time: Media wishing to attend are welcome between 11:30AM—1:30PM
Where: Oppenheimer Park, 400 Powell St., Vancouver
Food generously being provided by Glowbal:
4,000 burgers - including the fixings like tomatoes, cheese, and lettuce!
4,000 hot dogs
750 lbs of potato salad
Four sheet cakes
Freezies, water, chips
Please RSVP to schew@ugm.ca before arriving
Upon arrival at UGM’s reception, please look for UGM staff at the media table by Cordova Street and Dunlevy Avenue. Matthew Fraser can be contacted if Sarah Chew is unavailable, at: 778-887-0053.
CONTACT
Sarah Chew
Media Relations Specialist
Cell: 604-996-1417
schew@ugm.ca
Matthew Fraser
Assistant, Media Relations & Communications
Cell: 778-887-0053
ABOUT UNION GOSPEL MISSION
Union Gospel Mission has been feeding hope and changing the lives of men, women, youth, and children for more than 80 years. UGM provides emergency shelter, meals, outreach, career development counselling, education, safe and affordable housing, addiction recovery, and much more to those struggling with poverty, homelessness and addiction. The heart of UGM is to demonstrate God’s transforming love, ease the burden of those who are vulnerable, and come alongside people who feel cast aside. To learn more, visit www.ugm.ca.
ABOUT GLOWBAL RESTAURANT GROUP
Glowbal Restaurant Group immerses guests in an experience that is alive, fresh, and vibrant. Known for flawless service, impressive wine and cocktail lists, and some of the most inventive, celebrated cuisine in the Pacific Northwest, Glowbal restaurants are exactly where everyone wants to be. Portfolio includes renowned dining establishments such as Glowbal, Coast, Italian Kitchen, Black+Blue (Vancouver and Toronto), The Roof, Trattoria, Riley’s, and Five Sails.
