Nearly 100 people came out to Richmonds Auto West BMW showroom to hear about Touchstone Family Associations launch of its second annual Eating Together campaign, which promotes and encourages families to eat together, running Feb. 19-26.
Research has shown repeatedly that families who eat together, stay together, said Kelina Kwan, director of Touchstone Family Association.
Through the simple act of eating together regularly, a family can bond and connect more effectively, communicate more freely, and have fewer problems, said Kwan, adding Touchstone serves 400 Richmond families each year.
Last years Eating Together was so successful in raising our profile about what we do to help families here in our community that we brought it back again this year.
Kwan went on to say that the Eating Together campaign has two goals: raise awareness of the importance of eating together and raise funds for Touchstones Front Porch project.
The project also provides families with counseling services.
Many families are very reluctant to go through the public channel to seek help, especially immigrant families, she said. They are worried that their problems will be out in the open, or that children will be taken away from parents.
The Front Porch project provides families who need help a direct line to counseling in a number of languages.
At the moment, there is a waiting list because Touchstone can only afford 15 hours of counseling per week, Kwan said. The project needs $100,000 per year to run full-time.
Former television news anchor Pamela Martin, Premier Christy Clarks director of outreach, took to the podium and spoke about the importance of families in communities.
When I was growing up, we always gathered together for family dinners, said Martin.
It was easier years ago. As a news anchor, I was gone during dinnertime so with my children we had to find creative ways to eat together.
We in government are working hard to put families first in B.C. We are committed to preserving and enhancing families and eating together is a great way to keep families together.
After Martin spoke, guests watched Tim Vu, executive chef at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel, demonstrate how to create a healthy and easy-to-make appetizer of ahi tuna. Then, guests were invited to nibble on a number of different hors douvres.
During the Eating Together campaign, cooking classes will be offered by a number of local chefs who are donating their time to conduct the classes.
We believe that, in addition to time, many families do not regularly eat together because they found cooking time consuming, difficult, or both, said Kwan.
The cooking classes are a start to show families that cooking for your family doesnt have to be costly, time consuming or difficult. The cooking classes are $15 per person, and all proceeds go towards The Front Porch project.
Meanwhile, local community centres have also worked together to provide Eating Together meals for the community. These gatherings are either free, or cost very little to join (West Richmond $3, Cambie $2 and Steveston $8).
Responses are very good for these community centre activities, at last check, one of these community meals are full, added Kwan.
Eating Together runs from Sunday, Feb. 19 to 26. There are many cooking classes, community centre meals and activities such as the youth-driven Flash Mob dances. For more information and a list of activities, visit www.eatingtogether.ca.
