UGM’s Summer BBQ to Serve 4000, Amidst Supply Chain Issues

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
–  Thursday, July 7th 2022 –

Kitchen Manager celebrates 20th anniversary at UGM & 80th Major Community Meal Served

(Vancouver, B.C) – Seasoned Kitchen Manager Randy Spark has seen just about everything in his 20 years at UGM. This year, while planning for UGM’s first in-person major meal since COVID-19 required ‘to-go’ style meals, global supply chain issues were just another pivot for Spark to navigate, to provide celebration in the Downtown Eastside.

“Our kitchen is so excited to be back at Oppenheimer Park celebrating summer and connecting with our community.” Spark shares. “But like many meals we’ve prepared during the pandemic, it hasn’t been without its challenges. Due to global supply issues, I’ve had to adjust about 70% of what we’d originally planned.” 

Spark and his dedicated kitchen crew are excited to celebrate the community—the triumphant return to an in-person BBQ celebration after two years is the perfect time to also celebrate the non-stop pace that UGM’s kitchen has been working at.

“Making meals during the pandemic certainly was difficult without doubt. I am proud of my team for the job they accomplished during the pandemic. I was made aware that many places either had to immensely scale back or discontinue serving food in its entirety. However, here at UGM the kitchen was able to pull together and we didn’t miss one meal!” Spark says.

Up to 4,000 meals will be grilled on Saturday, July 9th, when Union Gospel Mission hosts the Summer BBQ. It’s UGM’s biggest event of the year for the Downtown Eastside community, including those who may be at-risk of or experiencing homelessness or have low-income, including families who can take advantage of other summer joys like face painting, bouncy castles, and a mini-carnival of games.

“Hosting this special BBQ in the community’s backyard lets families, and individuals, know that they aren’t forgotten.” says UGM’s Nicole Mucci, who notes nearly 70% of children living in the Downtown Eastside grow up in poverty. 

“We are very pleased to again support UGM’s Annual Summer BBQ as lead sponsor,” says Concert’s Chair, President & CEO David Podmore, OBC. “I’m grateful for the many Concert employees who have agreed to donate their time. Giving back to the communities where we are active is one of our founding principles, and has become even more important over the years as the need increases.”

MEDIA EVENT DETAILS

Date:             Saturday, June 9th, 2022
Time:            Media wishing to attend the media scrum with Randy Spark are asked to arrive no later than 11:15am
Where:         Oppenheimer Park
RSVP:          Please send details to nmucci@ugm.ca 

THE MEAL

• 4,000 Hamburgers
• 4,000 Smokies
• 900 lbs. Coleslaw
• 900 lbs. Pasta Salad
• 4,000 Freezies

RSVP PROTOCOL

• Please RSVP to Nicole Mucci, nmucci@ugm.ca, before arriving.
• Upon arrival at Oppenheimer Park, please head directly to the Media Booth to sign in.
• Randy Spark, UGM’s Kitchen Manager will be available for a media scrum.
• A UGM spokesperson will be available for interviews as well.

CONTACT
Nicole Mucci

Media Communications Manager
Cell: (604) 996-1417
nmucci@ugm.ca 

Rachael Allen 

Media Communications Officer

Cell: (778)-886-9573

rallen@ugm.ca 

ABOUT CONCERT PROPERTIES
Since 1989, Concert has proudly developed, acquired and managed Canadian real estate—making decisions based on our company values of quality, integrity and service in pursuit of building a people-first future. With over $8 billion in assets, we are backed and owned by over 200,000 Canadians, represented by union and management pension plans. We develop and manage rental apartments and seniors’ active aging communities; develop condominium homes; develop, acquire and manage commercial properties; and invest in, develop and manage public infrastructure projects across Canada. We also have ten mixed-use master-planned communities built or under development across Canada. In each business, our vision remains the same—building resilient, inclusive, sustainable communities. www.concertproperties.com

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. Through its eight locations in Metro Vancouver and the city of Mission, 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.