Welcome to the BCHF’s autumn newsletter for 2020 – one of the longer years in human history for many of us.
We at the BCHF can’t thank you enough for your continuing support during these highly unusual times. It has been an “uneventful” year for us only in the sense that we had to cancel all our in-person fundraisers due to COVID-19; in all other respects, we’ve been very busy as we adapted to the circumstances by hosting virtual events (check out the ongoing #hospitalityhustle) and online fundraisers.
Our focus for the remainder of the year is the “BC: Our Beautiful Backyard” online lottery that will run from October 13th to November 1st. It features an outstanding roster of prizes, so please spread the word among your friends, family, and colleagues. All the lottery prizes were generously donated by local businesses, so ticket sales will provide an important revenue source that will help us continue doing our much-needed work in the hospitality community. Please see lottery details below.
As COVID-19 continues to have a profound effect on the hospitality industry, we all need to do our best to promote our physical and mental wellbeing during these challenging times. Please visit the BCHF’s online Resources page for links to supports.
Thanks again for your support, and I wish you and yours a safe and happy autumn!
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The hospitality world has been turned upside down by COVID-19, but some of the members of our community are facing daunting additional challenges that left them in a state of financial crisis. To date in 2020 the BCHF has helped 13 local hospitality industry workers:
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Rita – server at a Vancouver restaurant – soft tissue and head injury from being struck by a car as a pedestrian – covered her February rent and other basic expenses so she could return to work.
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Terry – cook – suffered a stroke in 2019 and his wife had to have an emergency root canal in early 2020 – covered the cost of the dental work and basic living costs for 1 month.
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Caitlin – server at a Kelowna restaurant – severe concussion – covered basic living costs while she received treatment and was unable to work.
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Carolyn – server at Vancouver restaurant – broken pelvis – covered basic living costs until she healed enough to return to work.
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Andrea – guest services at a Vancouver Hotel – her husband needed treatment for a medical condition – funds supplemented their reduced income until he was able to return to work.
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James – tourist attraction in Victoria – diagnosed with throat cancer – covered three months’ basic expenses.
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Dana – server at Qualicum Beach restaurant – breast cancer – covered cancer lodge fees while she stayed in Victoria for radiation treatments.
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Willem – A cook in BC since he was 16 – stage 4 colon cancer that spread to his lungs and liver – covered his bills for the next few months while he gets treatment.
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Arya – the spouse of a Pizza Hut worker in Kelowna – had a high-risk pregnancy that required her to stay near St. Paul’s Hospital for a month. The BCHF helped cover the couple’s cost of accommodation in Vancouver during this time.
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Pascal – was laid off from a Vancouver restaurant due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He had to be hospitalized for a week due to a heart issue, and subsequently developed a staph infection. He did not qualify for CERB benefits, so the BCHF helped cover his basic living expenses and medication costs for a limited time while he was unable to work.
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Deepika – is a Kelowna restaurant worker whose husband, Rohit, works at KFC in Kelowna. Deepika had to stay in Surrey for 3 weeks for observation due to a high-risk pregnancy. The BCHF helped cover the couple’s cost of accommodation for 21 days.
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Sarah - was working at a Whistler restaurant when it closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She had previously had a knee replaced, and underwent knee surgery in July 2020. When her CERB benefits ran out she received medical EI, but even with borrowing money from friends she was unable to cover her living expenses, therapy, and medication costs. The BCHF helped cover the shortfall for a limited period of time while Sarah was unable to work.
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anonymous….. Hospitality worker in BC needed financial assistance to deal with family illness and ongoing expenses surrounding it.
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Coming soon... tickets on sale Oct. 13 |
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The prize draw will take place on November 2nd. The event’s gaming license # is 126737.
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Please visit our Lottery Page for details and to purchase your tickets!
Tix will be available on October 13 in the following packages:
1 for $5
3 for $10
8 for $20
25 for $50
We’re excited about the BCHF’s upcoming fundraising lottery! This year’s lottery has a local focus, and prizes are to be redeemed in 2021. Tickets are on sale from Oct. 13th to midnight on Nov. 1st.
We need people from across the province to assist us with getting the word out about our lottery. Please email Lucy@bchospitalityfoundation.com if you would like to add the ticket link to Social Media or a newsletter. We will give you everything that you need.
Here’s a list of the prizes available to be won:
Prize 1 – Okanagan Wine Getaway
This luxury prize package includes dinner for two, 2 nights’ accommodation at the Naramata Inn, PLUS TWO VIP tours and lunch at Okanagan Crush Pad and Time Winery and Kitchen. We have also thrown in a $100 gas certificate to make the travel easy. All you have to do is pack your overnight bag! – Value $1,375 – Hotel valid from November 2 to December 20, 2020, April 1 to June 30, 2021 and October 1 to December 20, 2021- subject to availability
Prize 2 – Victoria in Style
Prize 3 – “Rich and Famous” in Downtown Vancouver
Enjoy a leisurely dinner for two at renowned Hapa Isakaya. Your West Coast Suite at the Fairmont Waterfront will be waiting for you, complete with a bottle of bubbly and chocolate-dipped strawberries. Prize also includes breakfast at ARC restaurant the following morning. Value $1,100 - Hotel valid to November 30, 2021 - subject to availability
Prize 4 – Penticton Beer Retreat
Prize 5 – Sea to Sky Adventure
Your Whistler getaway includes 2 nights’ stay at the Listel, dinner for two at the acclaimed Red Door Bistro, and $100 gift certificates to: culinary hotspot 21 Steps Kitchen + Bar as well as the Sea to Sky Gondola restaurant. Get out into nature, wander around the shops and galleries, or just savour the great food and drink: the choice is yours! Value $950 – Hotel valid from October 1, 2020 to November 30, 2021 EXCLUDING December 24, 2020 to January 3, 2021 subject to availability
Prize 6 – Fraser Valley Getaway
Prize 7 – Seaside Stay in Sooke
You’ll love your two-night stay in in an Oceanfront Balcony suite at the Prestige Oceanfront Resort on Vancouver Island. Spend time walking on the beach, join a whale-watching tour, hike, do some sport fishing, or bring a book and just curl up for some restorative quiet time in luxurious surroundings! Value $650 – Hotel valid January 1 to December 31, 2021 – NOT valid on long weekends and subject to availability
Prize 8 – Downtown Vancouver
Includes dinner for two at critically acclaimed Lift Bar / Grill / View ($100) and a one night stay in a deluxe suite at Delta Hotels Vancouver Downtown Suites. Value $600 – Hotel valid November 1, 2020 to August 31, 2021 – NOT valid on New Year’s Eve, blackout dates or projected sell out dates and subject to availability
Prize 9 – Victoria Area Pub Pack
Prize 10 – Lower Mainland Pub Pack
Prize 11 – Stay at the Quay – New West
Close to home, but a little break from the routine…relax and enjoy 2 nights accommodation for 2 at Inn at the Quay and $100 toward dinner at the elegant Boathouse Restaurant. Package also includes two fabulous Northern Feather hotel pillows to enjoy at home. Value $350 – Hotel valid January 01- December 30, 2021 subject to availability.
Prize 12 – Best Friends Forever!
Enjoy the pleasures of “dining out” in the comfort of your own home! The Ephemere Supper Club will provide a chef who will prepare a 4-course tasting menu for 4 guests, with the option of a cooking lesson for 1 of the selected dishes. The only hard part will be narrowing down your invitation list! Value $500
Redeeming the certificate for dinner is based on availability (Will try our best to get the dates clients like)-4 Guest with 4 Courses (may increase for additional cost)-Travel Cost and Gratuity not Included-Event Cancellation less then 72 hour before the event will be used towards 40% of the certificate value.-Optional Wine Service/Pairing available (Additional Cost)
Prize 13 – Best Buy Gift Cards
Indulge in the ultimate “staycation” by upgrading your home entertainment system, purchasing music and movies, an espresso machine…the sky’s the limit! Value 500
Prize 14 – Times Square Suites Hotel and Hook Seabar
Enjoy a seafood dinner for 2 at acclaimed Hook Seabar ($100), followed by a 1-night at the West End’s trendy Time Square Suites Hotel. Value $325 – Hotel valid from October 1 to December 19, 2020 and January 7 to April 30, 2021 subject to availability
Prize 15 – Times Square Suites Hotel and Revolving Restaurant
It’ll be a challenge to determine which is more captivating when you dine at the Top of Vancouver Revolving Restaurant ($100): the view or the world-class cuisine on your plate! An easy walk from your accommodation at the Time Square Suites Hotel, where you’ll enjoy a 1-night stay. Value $325 – Hotel valid from October 1 to December 19, 2020 and January 7 to April 30, 2021 subject to availability
Good luck!
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The second annual Penticton Beer Week is coming up in October with a new collaboration beer.
Penticton Beer week will showcase a collaboration beer made by all seven of Penticton’s breweries.
Running from Oct. 16-24, 2020, the beer will be available on tap from all the local breweries, and in cans at a few liquor stores.
The Penticton Beer Week collaboration beer is a fundraiser beer, with partial proceeds of the beer supporting the BC Hospitality Foundation, to help support those in the hospitality industry facing financial crisis due to a health condition.
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See you virtually on November 24, 2020
Join your colleagues – from anywhere in the world! – from breweries, wineries, cideries, and distilleries for BC’s annual business conference and tradeshow presented by the Business Alliance for Artisan Fermenters and Distillers.
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Sip to Support Local: Half Day Wine Tour
Show some local love by sipping to support our local wineries! Join us for a half day wine tour to either the West Kelowna Wine Trail or Lake Country’s Scenic Sip and we will donate $5.00 per guest to the BC Hospitality Foundation. READ MORE
Tastings at a minimum of 4 places
Starts at 1:00pm for 4 hours
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Many Hands Rosé was something specially created for Fairmont Hotels and with the Covid 19 Outbreak Okanagan Crush Pad has partnered with Everything Wine as the exclusive retail partner to support the hospitality industry. To give back we are donating $12 per case to the BCHF. Many Hands - Make light work. When we work together and with a common goal in mind we can accomplish greatness.
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Rust and Co. - $5 per magnum of Gamay Noir & it is delicious!!! Donated to BCHF
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#standupforservice
Do you know someone who is going above and beyond to make service great despite COVID-19?
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The BC Restaurant and Foodservices Campaign is asking you to nominate people who make you smile and want to come back for more great dining experiences. Share your stories: nominations at www.bcrfa.com.
Every Wednesday, one nominee is recognized with a prize pack from Sumac Ridge and local breweries. A grand prize will be announced November 6: Up for grabs is a $500 grocery gift card, twelve bottles of Sumac Ridge Estate Wine and a package from Rising Tide Consultants. We're sharing stories of nominees on @BCRFA @BCTastesBetter. This is a great way to get stories about your favourite restaurant or your awesome employee shared.
You can view the media release HERE.
The form for nomination can be completed HERE.
To date we have received nearly 300 nominations from consumers!
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Scene Ideas is a local small business in Richmond, BC and has served the live event industry for over 15 years.
Due to the pandemic, Scene Ideas has taken advantage of their expertise in custom fabrication and large-format printing to pivot and become a manufacturer of Operational Health & Safety Solutions including custom physical barriers, PPE and signage. Capitalizing on their strengths as a custom manufacturer, builder and printer, Scene Ideas has provided products across Canada with high quality craftsmanship, exceptional client service and quick turnarounds.
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Scene Ideas has now expanded with a warehouse in Mississauga, ON to better service clients in eastern Canada.
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The hospitality industry is probably the most impacted by COVID-19. In Canada, the federal government introduced the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit ‘CERB’ to assist those who temporarily lost employment due to business closures. This was $500 a week for up to 28 weeks. Some may not realize that no taxes are taken off at the time and this is fully taxable income.
Putting money aside - Ideally, hospitality workers should have been taking a portion (depending on your anticipated annual income) of each payment and put it aside for when you file taxes.
Tax Free Saving Account - If you have TFSA contribution room, this is the ideal parking place for your money where you can choose from a variety of investment options. In this case, you should park it in a high interest savings account as you will likely need the funds in 6 months to pay taxes owing. Have your money make you money while you prepare your taxes.
Registered Retirement Savings Plan - You may also have the option of transferring these funds into a RRSP (depending on your contribution room and income for 2020) by the end of February 2021.
Charitable donation – And finally, consider making a donation to a charity in order to get a tax receipt. If you have any appreciated securities, you can donate them in-kind.
Catch-up - The reality for most is that they needed this CERB money to survive and pay expenses. If that is the case, then once you return to work, you should establish a strategy to start to put funds aside for taxes.
Every person’s financial situation is unique and you should speak with a qualified Certified Financial Planner (CFP) to determine and personalized strategy.
Len Colman, CFP, CLU
Senior Investment Advisor
Manulife Securities Incorporated
250-494-1130
The opinions expressed are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect those of Manulife Securities Incorporated.
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Year-End Tax Strategies?
We Have an Idea!
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The federal government’s CERB program helped keep many people financially afloat during the worst of the COVID-19 lockdown, but depending on their income and personal circumstances, some individuals may need to pay income taxes on the funds they received, as no funds were withheld for taxes. Why not bring down the amount payable by making an online contribution to our registered charity? The BCHF issues tax receipts for all donations over $25.
The $25 amount is the total annual contribution – so becoming a monthly donor is a great way to meet this goal. We’re positively shameless about admitting that we LOVE our monthly donors! It’s easy to sign up for the program on our site, and a contribution of only a few dollars a month helps provide an essential steady stream of income so we can continue to do our work.
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Holiday Giving Season Ahoy! |
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We know this year had been a financial pinch for many, but if you’ll be considering sending seasonal cards or gifts – either personal or to business contacts and clients – please keep the BCHF in mind! We’ll again be sending “personalized” e-cards on your behalf for a donation to our charity.
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Hosted by ABLE BC, the advocate for BC’s pubs and liquor stores, this year’s conference will take place virtually!
No matter where you are in the province, tune in and get the actionable steps and knowledge you need to adapt and survive COVID-19. Plus get liquor industry data, trends, and policy updates you can’t get anywhere else.
2020 conference highlights include:
- Address from the Hon. David Eby, Attorney General
- Liquor Industry Update from ABLE BC’s Executive Director Jeff Guignard
- Educational seminars on: dealing with difficult customers, accessing government pandemic funding, COVID-19 and legal liability, liquor retail trends, post-COVID profitability for bars and pubs, and more
- Closing panel on BC’s election and what the future holds
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Virtual happy hour and networking opportunities
The COVID-19 crisis is far from over. But together, we will weather this storm. Join us and other industry leaders at the 5th annual BC Liquor Conference, as we bring together BC’s hospitality industry and look to the future.
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The BCHF is a charity that supports hospitality workers facing financial crisis due to a health condition. These are the people who work in your favourite restaurants, wineries, breweries, bars, and hotels. Often with limited access to benefits or financial aid, our beneficiaries have nowhere else to turn if a health condition arises. Your support has a meaningful impact by getting them back on their feet again.
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