After years of supporting ARCH programming, HIV/AIDS Resources and Community Health (ARCH) is looking to help local restaurants during their annual Taste for Life event.
From April 14 to April 30, ARCH will be offering gift cards to local restaurants with the purchase of a golden ticket.
Residents who purchase a $40 golden ticket will receive a $10 gift card, while those who buy a $100 golden ticket will receive a $30 gift card.
Sonia Preisler, the communication and fund development coordinator at ARCH, says the pandemic has hit the hospitality industry the hardest, and they want to give back by encouraging people to order takeout and offering gift cards to these restaurants.
“It’s a hard year, so we just wanted to make sure that we were giving love back to the restaurants who support our work because it’s good work,” says Preisler.
The gift cards are from 13 local restaurants and are assigned at random to ensure all establishments are equally supported. The golden tickets can be purchased online here.
Residents who wish to give further, Preisler mentions an option has been added to the golden tickets to donate these giftcards back to ARCH, which will go to their clients.
“I think people are excited and restaurants are excited that we’re doing this,” says Preisler about the reaction from restaurants they have partnered with before, “I think a few were surprised that we were doing this for them.”
Besides golden tickets, ARCH is also selling tickets for a raffle draw. By purchasing a ticket, Preisler explains residents can enter for a chance to win one of over 15 prize packs and a gift card from one of the local restaurants.
“We have like TOQUE mugs, from the magazine, we’ll have Wellington beer in there, some chocolates,” says Preisler, talking about some of the prizes residents can win.
This year, ARCH aims to raise $10,000 which will go toward supporting their HIV, PrEP, and trans clinic, as well as supporting services for individuals living with HIV, and their community harm reduction program.
Preisler explains the population of folks that they support have been immensely impacted by the pandemic, including those who are immuno-compromised and those who’ve lost jobs during the pandemic.
“We started a food hamper program because we realized that folks weren’t able to go groceries in the same manner,” she continues, “We’ve definitely amped up our support programs because the need has increased.”
