They’re Fighting Fire and the Spread of Disease

Vancouver’s firefighters with the Vancouver Firefighter Charities are teaming up to help those most at risk right now here in ourcity. Off-duty firefighters are delivering care packages to Vancouver’s elderly, immunocompromised and chronically ill community members. Care packages will include essential cleaning supplies and personal hygiene products, to keep high-risk folks at home and away from the spread of COVID-19.

The packages will also have perishable food donations from Sequoia Company of Restaurants (they’re behind The Teahouse, The Sandbar, Seasons in the Park and Cardero’s) as well as Hy’s Steakhouse and Cocktail Bar, The Belgian Chocolate Café and The Holy Crab.

James Docherty, Executive Director of VFC, says they are working with numerous partner agencies to identify vulnerable people, including ANAVETS, YWCA and more.

“The COVID-19 crisis is having a devastating impact on ourcity and many seniors and other vulnerable people aren’t able to shop for groceries, cleaning products and other potentially life-saving items,” says Docherty in a press release. “With the generous support of our hospitality industry partners, VFC will continue to serve Vancouver’s most vulnerable population with much-needed food and supplies.”

If you haven’t heard of them before, VFC builds programs, like Snacks for Kids and Lifelines for Seniors, to help demographics who most need it and supports a long list of organizations like the Burn Fund, BC Children’s Hospital and BC Cancer Research.  And it’s all run by off-duty firefighter volunteers, which is also pretty cool and also a good reminder that I should definitely be doing more to give back to our community. 

You can help out by donating on their website (or, if you’re in need of a little eye-candy in your isolation, by purchasing one of their sizzling shirtless calendars – thank me later). Restaurant industry professionals who are interested in partnering can reach out via their website.