New community fundraiser to ‘light up the night’

The numbers paint a harsh picture regarding those amongst us living in need, particularly in rural Manitoba.

Studies conducted this year by both the Manitoba Government and Statistics Canada show that Manitoba ranks the highest in the country, at 17 percent, for people feeling chronically lonely and with approximately one in 10 Manitobans experiencing severe household food insecurity.

The statistics regarding domestic violence, specifically in rural communities, are even worse with Manitobans suffering the highest domestic violence rates in Canada where rural resources are at their thinnest.

Two local organizations, Agape House and Share a Bowl, are coming together on Aug. 22 to do something about these pressures on rural communities and to raise awareness about and for those dealing with these issues. The two groups are determined to show that there is help and hope available.

“This is the first time we’re doing this,” said Carolina Hiebert, co-organizer of the Saturday evening event. “We’ve been wanting to do this for about two or three years now, but it just never came to be because there was always something else going on.”

Time spent with the Grunthal soup kitchen has meant Hiebert hasn’t needed statistics or government reports to see the social trends happening in rural Manitoba. People coming to the once-a-month sitting of Share a Bowl and using the food bank located at Elim Mennonite Church provided all the evidence needed for what she already knew firsthand.

“I was very excited to help, because if it were not for my own family I would have needed (Agape House’s) help, and the soup kitchen’s as well. At one point in my life, I would have needed both these places and there are so many of us without that (resource) to get through,” said Hiebert.

That life experience led Hiebert, along with community advocate Candice Bakx-Friesen to reach out to Agape House, an organization which provides shelter and resources to those escaping domestic violence across the Southeast. Agape’s outreach coordinator Lisa Fast proposed the idea of a joint fundraiser to help address these issues in rural Manitoba.

“We just felt like this needed to be done and this is why we’re combining Agape House and the Grunthal Soup Kitchen … this year we said, ‘Let’s just try it.’ Let’s see what we can do about this and see what we can get going. That’s why we’re trying two organizations at once. (For) some people the soup kitchen speaks more to them and for others, Agape House is more of a thing they want to help. But this way, at least two amazing organizations get support,” said Hiebert.

With the two groups teaming up to raise awareness, the idea for the Light Up the Night Walk came into being. A fun event for kids, families and those wanting to show support for those experiencing these challenges in a way that draws attention to the issues while offering the support of community all while being hopeful at the same time.

Starting at K.R. Barkman Park at 7 p.m. on Aug. 22 from just behind the fire station, the procession of brightly lit and glowstick-adorned walkers will make their way along Kroeker Ave. to Third St. before heading over to Reimer Ave. and then north to arrive at A.D. Penner Park for refreshments. A gentle pace to accommodate every mobility level will be kept to ensure inclusive participation for those that come out or just want to cheer on the participants.

Activities for the children and a silent auction featuring a picnic table crafted by SMILE of St Malo, a non-profit organization providing residential programs for adults with intellectual disabilities, will serve as the incentive to complete the approximately five kilometer walk.

“We are grateful for every penny that gets donated and we are happy for every single walker that signs up,” said Hiebert. “We have about 25 people signed up already, and of course we are hoping to double and triple that once the word gets out. Plus, you can just show up and take part.”

Adding the glowsticks, to be provided to those who have registered as “light walkers,” to the twilight procession so as to “light up the night” is an added feature to make the event inclusive, family friendly and attention-grabbing.

“We plan to sell a couple (glowsticks) along the way as an additional fundraising thing,” said Hiebert. “Twenty-five cents a glow stick? The kids will love that! They love the light just as much as they love to spend a quarter. It makes them feel rich.”

Although the event is a fundraiser with the proceeds to be divided between the Grunthal Soup Kitchen and Agape House, the walk is intended to be much more than that. The walk is designed to raise awareness that there is both help and hope for those living amongst us that are facing challenges like food insecurity and domestic violence, and that the community is not defined by harsh statistics.

To learn more about the event, you can visit the Light Up the Night Facebook page and to register for the walk, contact reception@cbfteam.ca. To make a donation or volunteer, contact the Grunthal Soup Kitchen at 204-371-1394 or Agape House at 204-326-6062.