Chelsea O'Donoghue, Chief Executive Officer of United Way Central Alberta, at rdnewsNOW. (rdnewsNOW/Sheldon Spackman)

By Alessia Proietti and Sheldon Spackman

September 8: Cambridge Hotel

United Way Central Alberta once again hosting Campaign Kickoff Lunch

Sep 1, 2022 | 2:53 PM

United Way Central Alberta is bringing back its annual Campaign Kickoff Lunch this year to begin and celebrate the season of giving.

On Sept. 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., attendees will receive a gourmet meal, live entertainment and a chance to reconnect with their community at the Cambridge Hotel, learning about current needs, where donations go and how the agency impacts communities year-round.

Through continuous partnerships with community agencies, workplaces, small businesses and government to address social issues and support vital programs, this year’s theme is “United, We Are Stronger.”

“Together we can do so much more and it just goes back to our main theme,” said Chelsea O’Donoghue, Chief Executive Officer, about building collective capacity.

“It couldn’t be more important right now — helping folks who just need a hand up and feel a little bit more stable as we’re coming out of a really tough couple of years.”

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O’Donoghue says the lunch will kick-off the hard work done during the upcoming few months when the majority of funds are raised before the holiday season.

In particular this year, she says, there is a growing need amongst community members for food banks to the Tools for School program, and other services with inflation impacting the cost of living.

A recent report from the University of Toronto showed Alberta having the highest rate of food insecurity in the country with food costs increasing 11.9 per cent in the past year. Locally, the non-profit says the need to supplement food supplies for families is up 62 per cent from last year.

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According to the organization, over 9,500 people, or nearly 10 per cent of Red Deer’s population, are living in low income households. In central Alberta, they say 12.7 per cent of children live in a low income household.

O’Donoghue also highlights the emphasis on mental health throughout the campaign. Alongside the organization’s priority areas of poverty and education, she says mental health falls under their third priority of wellness.

“We want to keep mental health top-of-mind because it’s a hidden crisis. It’s not as talked about; it’s not as ‘in your face’ and you never know who’s struggling,” she said.

With an estimated one in five Canadians experiencing a mental health issue, according to the Canadian Mental Health Association, the agency says that equates to over 75,000 people across the central Alberta region.

Covering a radius from Carstairs to Leduc with a small team of just seven full-time staff, O’Donoghue says it can be quite the endeavour to serve all communities equally, which is where the aid of volunteers becomes critical.

“We’re coming out of two years of people being tapped out. With volunteer recruitment, there are so many opportunities,” she said. “We’re always looking for people, so whether you have an afternoon or more time to give and spend, reach out and let us know.”

In 2021, the organization invested over $1 million in central Alberta to support 11,501 people, 32 programs, one collaboration and 29 agencies.

Tickets for the lunch are $60 per person with tables of eight available. Donations will be accepted for the Basic Needs Collection Drive and 50/50 tickets will also be sold.