Vancouver chefs launch meal program to help victims, families of Lapu Lapu Day tragedy
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Food is an important pillar of Filipino culture.
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'To us, food is nourishment, it heals, it is a sign of love,' says Chef T.J. Conwi of Ono Vancouver. 'As chefs, it's our way of showing how much we care and how we can be helpers during this difficult time.'
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Conwi, along with Maj Yee, owner of Goldilocks Bake Shop, are leaning in to the healing ability of food in order to help support those impacted by the April 26 Lapu Lapu Day tragedy.
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'When the tragedy struck, we asked ourselves, 'How can we help?,' ' Yee says. 'We know affected families and victims need nourishment during this time, and not to have to worry about cooking. That is how it all started.'
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'We have many volunteers helping us with driving and delivery,' Conwi says. 'And, it's not just us — other Filipino restaurants and food concepts have come onboard to donate, including Lee's Donuts, Shameless Buns, Klasik Inasal, and Kulinarya.'
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Yee says the response from local Filipino chefs, restaurateurs and food manufacturers offering donations and food delivery to families affected by the weekend's tragic event has been 'tremendous.'
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'We've directly delivered meals to seven families so far, as well as meals to volunteers who are helping at various emergency response centres,' says Conwi. 'We are also in touch with both Filipino B.C. and Mabuhay House to organize meals.'
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Both in attendance at the Lapu Lapu Day festival, where a man drove a black SUV into a crowd of festivalgoers shortly after 8 p.m., the tragedy hits particularly close to home. But they say the desire to assist their community would have been present no matter the need.
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Memorial mass in Vancouver to mark 40 days since Lapu Lapu tragedy
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