I wanted to take a moment to express our sincere gratitude for the NSG grant, which will play a crucial role in making our joint vision of community inclusion and connection a reality. Thanks to your generous support, we’ve secured kitchen space at The Bradley Centre, at no cost, for our first official Oceanside Cooking Club class on January 18th. This was also made possible by a generous donation from the PQ Community Foundation, as confirmed by Araby at the Bradley Centre. Thank you for making this possible as well!
The response to our free Cooking Club class has been overwhelming. After sharing the idea on a few well-followed Facebook pages, participants flooded in with interest. The Bradley Centre kitchen quickly became the top recommendation from the community. Once confirmed, I posted the Eventbrite link, and we reached full capacity (25 participants) in less than 24 hours, with 5 people on the waitlist. We are thrilled by the excitement and can’t wait to bring this community-building activity to Oceanside.
During the event, participants gathered to explore the benefits of plant-based eating, emphasizing its positive impact on animals, the environment, and personal health. The session featured hands-on demonstrations of easy-to-make, delicious recipes, including Nice Cream, fresh Salad Rolls, Miso Soup, and Coconut Rice Pudding. Attendees also learned how to grow their own sprouts at home for just pennies. The atmosphere was filled with learning, laughter, and the joy of tasting nutritious dishes that could be effortlessly replicated in everyday life. It was an inspiring celebration of sustainable and health-conscious eating!
My husband and I have seen firsthand, in New West, how cooking and sharing a meal together fosters incredible bonds amongst participants. We’re excited to bring that same energy to Oceanside, and we’re deeply grateful to you for supporting the purchase of ingredients for several upcoming classes this year.
