(The Lending Cupboard website)

By Alessia Proietti

Tickets still available

The Lending Cupboard hosts inaugural Harvest Gala fundraiser this month; local brews and dinner

Sep 13, 2023 | 5:04 PM

For those who put their whites in the closet after Labor Day, take them out because The Lending Cupboard (TLC) is hosting their inaugural Harvest Gala next week with a fun dress code.

On September 22 at the River Valley Wedding Venue in Lacombe County (#39231 Range Road 28 2), guests can sample local beers and liquors alongside a full catered meal by HT Catering, all while raising funds for TLC. Attendees are being asked to dress in white for their “en blanc” theme.

“We can come together and have a great time together, make new connections, reconnect with others; that’s what the goal is of that night and to celebrate the success of The Lending Cupboard and the success of supporting our community and making sure that it’s stronger,” said Lori Shatto, Executive Director of TLC, adding that guests will all be seated across a long table.

Beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday, guests can also expect door prizes, a silent auction, and a guest speaker who will be sharing their full-circle journey on how TLC helped them, and why they choose to volunteer at the organization today.

TLC provides medical equipment and daily living aids to central Albertans with an inventory of 15,000 pieces, including wheelchairs, rollator aids, crutches, and many more. She advises that those who are interested should call in to see if they have a piece of equipment not listed on their website.

Last seen March 31

Missing: Eugenie Headman, 66, of Maskwacis

Apr 04, 2026

mayor hopes to meet housing minister this month

Alberta demands Ottawa back off on housing funding stripped from Red Deer

Apr 02, 2026

Last seen Jan. 15

Missing: Courtney Cattleman, 17, of Maskwacis

Apr 02, 2026

Shatto says in 2022, they served over 13,000 clients, up 15 per cent from the previous year.

She adds they also served 720 clients through their delivery program, up 22 per cent from 2021.

“As our population ages, we know those numbers are going to increase but I’d also like to mention that it’s not just our aging population. Our services are here for folks who have an accident, whether they’ve broken a leg or they’ve fallen, or they have an illness that they’re recovering from or surgery that they’re recovering from. We serve all ages here,” she said.

Shatto says their goal is to sell out their 200 available tickets. As a registered charity, she says events like the Harvest Gala help them to continue supporting the community, including purchasing new or fixing current equipment.

“Harvest, for me, I always think of gratitude. You think of the past season of harvesting, people are bringing in their crops from the field, and with all of the fruits of their labor; they’re grateful for that and it gets them through another winter,” she said, explaining the inspiration for the Gala’s theme.

“We’ve been so thankful here, so much gratitude for the community support, let’s have a celebration of thanksgiving and gratitude that the community has supported us so long and now let’s get ready for another season, another year, here at The Lending Cupboard.”

She says this gratitude is also extended to the team at TLC.

“We have a very dedicated team that is very much like a family. When someone comes in from our community that needs support, this team just rallies behind them and they show compassion and kindness and they’re there to help in whatever way they can, whether that is a listening ear or a piece of equipment,” she said. “We always say here that each piece of equipment that goes out our doors has a story behind it.”

Tickets can be purchased for $100 at the TLC office (1 7803 50 Ave.) or on their website.

READ MORE:

Tickets selling out fast for the Lending Cupboard’s 12th annual Ladies Luncheon

—–

Download the rdnewsNOW mobile app on Google Play and the Apple App Store for all the latest updates on this and other stories.