Historic Article

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Very LITE pancakes served

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 11/24/2004 5:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

KAREN Schlichting has no problem summing up what LITE's (Local Investment Towards Employment) eighth annual Wild Blueberry Pancake Breakfast is all about.

"It's a giant inner-city celebration," laughs the event coordinator. "We had about 750 people out last year and we're hoping to have about 800 people this year."

The event, which takes place on Nov. 26 at the Indian and Metis Friendship Centre at 45 Robinson St., is a kickoff for LITE's Christmas fundraising drive.

LITE is an organization that aims to support inner-city community economic development projects that promote a greater community self-reliance. Basically, it's a 'by the community, for the community' approach of keeping resources from the inner-city circulating within the area, says Schlichting.

The organization accomplishes this by developing partnerships with and supporting inner-city agencies and businesses. Their longest running partner is Neechi Foods Community Store, a co-op that provides employment, training and collective business ownership to several inner-city residents.

As with previous years, the pancake breakfast will involve more than just food. There will live music, art displays presented by the Graffitti Gallery, and visiting dignitaries.

In fact, Schlichting says the event is renowned for bringing out representatives from almost all walks of life.

"It's one of the rare events that is actually an honest-to-goodness cross section of people," she says.

"And it really is a celebration. It's not a big political event, it's a way to celebrate the positive and fun things we do have in the inner-city."

Schlichting also feels that people attend the event not only for the fun, but also because many have very strong feelings about the inner-city.

"It's also a chance for people to see LITE in action," she says.

Which is a good thing, because after a decade of trying to create awareness about their organization, Schlichting says there is still some misunderstanding about what LITE does.

"It's a heady idea, and we're still trying to get people to understand us," she says.

In over 10 years of existence, LITE has raised nearly $750,000 to support local initiatives that are committed to building a stronger inner-city.

LITE is still looking for volunteers for the pancake breakfast event. If you would like to help out, or to get more information on the event, call the agency at 942-8578. For more information on LITE, check online at www.lite.mb.ca.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 24, 2004 $sourceSection$sourcePage

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