A major fundraiser for the North Bay Gathering Place was a big hit and came at the right time.
After the Gathering Place North Bay soup kitchen announced it will be cutting back meals and cut staff late last week, officials with the Gathering Place found a real sense of optimism seeing the response from the community at a spaghetti dinner at the Davedi Club on Sunday.
"Thank you citizens of North Bay for your support," said Pete Gregory, chair of the Gathering Place board of directors in a social media post.
"I want to thank the corporate sponsors and the people that purchased tickets. Also to the Davidi Club and volunteers that put on a wonderful meal.
"We served over 500 people and the donations that came from this event brought in over $11,000," Gregory continued.
"We will use these proceeds wisely to keep the doors open and feed those in need.
"This surpasses what we had hoped for and we again want to say 'thank you.'"
See related: Gathering Place executive looks for better days ahead after cutbacks
See related: Gathering Place in crisis mode
Dennis Chippa, executive director at the Gathering Place also felt some positivity after Sunday's fundraising dinner.
"To know how much the community appreciates what we do and how many people personally have checked in in the last week," said Chippa.
"It has been really nice for me and for each other. A lot of folks have been checking in with the staff. Volunteers have been checking with staff - both those who are staying and who have to go making sure they are okay and I think that has been very heartwarming to see, but also to see the community response to what is going to happen. I have had a number of conversations at the Davedi Club with groups."
