Rotary Club’s ChickenFest helps send kids to camp

ST. JAMES-ASSINIBOIA

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This article was published 12/04/2023 (1232 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When you support the Rotary Club of Winnipeg West’s 72nd annual ChickenFest Fundraiser, you get a tasty meal and help send children to camp.

Held in partnership with Chicken Delight, 2023 ChickenFest aims to sell more than 1,000 meals while raising $11,000 for the Rehabilitation Centre for Children’s Fun & Summer Camp. For $22 each, diners can choose from a three-piece chicken dinner, a five-hot-wing dinner, a grilled garden chicken salad, and a Pepsi product. You may pick up your order or have it delivered (on orders of six or more) from any of the 10 Winnipeg Chicken Delight locations.

With Manitoba having one of the highest rates of childhood disability in the country, it was only natural that Rotary Club would want to help, said Rotary member Kelly Ryback. Since 1951, ChickenFest has sold more than 200,000 meals in support of the Rehabilitation Centre for Children and other causes.

Combined with other programs, ChickenFest has helped the Rotary Club of Winnipeg West raise more than $1 million for local and international causes. Other local beneficiaries of the group’s efforts include the Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Camp Manitou, Winnipeg Humane Society, Harvest Manitoba, and the Dream Factory. Funds have also been sent overseas to help people in Mexico, Guatemala, and Paraguay.

In addition to helping kids go to camp, ChickenFest proceeds helps feed hungry children.

“We’ve provided lunches for a one-time lunch at Principal Sparling School for several years. We also fund their breakfast program,” Ryback said.

ChickenFest is just one of several activities the Rotary Club of Winnipeg West is involved with each year, Ryback added. It also helps Winnipeg Pet Rescue and St. James Air Cadets and hold clothing drives supporting Agape Table. Members visit Keewatin Prairie Community School during I Love to Read Month and donate books to the school library. There’s also an annual raffle that keeps the club’s 45 members busy.

In addition to Chicken Delight, Dunn-Rite Foods, FoodFare, bw Imaging, Rinella, and Pepsi help make ChickenFest a reality.

“We can’t say enough about the generosity of our sponsors that allow us to do this,” Ryback said.

If getting a delicious dinner and a good feeling weren’t enough, supporters of ChickenFest also get help with their grocery bill, Ryback said. Each dinner comes with a coupon for 10 per cent off a grocery bill at Food Fare.

Orders can be placed until April 23, and you should give organizers at least three days’ notice before your preferred pickup day. Meals can be picked up on April 27 and 28 and May 1-5. Forms are available in the Winnipeg Free Press, from Rotary Club Winnipeg West members and at chickenfest.ca