On Saturday, July 18, 2015, Concert made one of its largest community contributions of the year at the Union Gospel Mission’s Annual Summer BBQ supporting the Downtown Eastside. For the third consecutive year, Concert served as the title sponsor, donating $35,000 and 100 volunteers to the event which brought 4,300 meals, activities and the foundation for long-term support and assistance to those in need within this community.
Concert and its employees are both passionate and committed to giving back to the DTES community. In the last three years the company has contributed a sum total of $105,000, as well as the requisite people-power to help make the UGM BBQ a success. Over the past 26 years, Concert employees have been active in various CommunityWorks initiatives aimed at giving back, the UGM event is just one example of this ongoing support.
“At Concert, we take great pride in finding creative ways to give back to the city we call home," said Brian McCauley, Concert’s President and Chief Operating Officer. "The work that UGM has done over the past 75 years in Vancouver’s DTES is inspiring – it’s an honour to help them bring their largest event of the year to life along with 100 of my Concert colleagues.”
The event not only provided a day of sustenance to those in need, but also served as a forum to build relationships and set the stage for long-term support. For many residents of the DTES who are struggling with homelessness, addiction, and chronic poverty, the event provided a first touch-point with UGM outreach workers. These relationships ideally result in strides towards recovery, or help with finding housing or employment through UGM’s various assistance programs.