Eating challenge finds shelter at Brambles
Pizza and wings are enough to attract just about anyone’s attention, but when there is an unlimited amount and an eating challenge, the whole town could be munching.
A limited number of tickets are available for the Nicola Valley Extreme Weather Shelter’s pizza and wings fundraiser at Brambles Bakery and Café next Thursday.
Ryan Reid, a shelter board member, is taking the event to the next level by challenging people to an eating contest.
“I issued a challenge on the radio to the whole town to take me on in an eating contest,” he said. “I am one of the best eaters. I am not a fast eater, but I have staying power.”
Anyone wanting to test that assertion is invited to accept Reid’s challenge at the event.
“All of the food is cooked in-house,” he said. “This is full-on pizza. We’re taking this to another level.”
Proceeds are earmarked for operating the shelter. Funds are needed before the extreme weather season is over to cover costs for general operation, Reid said.
“An additional expense this year is for the paid shift captains,” he said. “Having those people with that type of consistency really helps link the people who are coming in, so we can help show them services that can house them, which are more permanent than ours.”
In addition to hosting the fundraiser, Brambles has donated food to the shelter, he added.
According to Brambles’ Kate Sanders, this is the first time the café has hosted a fundraiser, but owners have donated to various community charities in the past.
Like Reid, she said one of the main attractions to the event is the pizza.
“The pizza is cooked in a traditional Italian style,” she said.
“That’s part of the reason we are expecting to have a lot of people come out to the event, so it’s a good idea to buy tickets ahead.”
The standing-room style dinner is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m., but people can come and go as they like. Tickets are available at the door, though they are limited. Tickets can also be purchased ahead of time at Brambles or at the Community Policing Officer, both of which are on Quilchena Avenue. Tickets are $20 for an adult and $10 for a child. Part of the fees are designated as a donation to the shelter. Alcohol will be available, but the event is open to all ages.
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