Annual BBQ almost here

Times Reporter

 

Summer is almost here and with it is the smell of hamburgers and hotdogs being grilled on the BBQ. It also brings the 23 annual M&M Meat Shops Charity BBQ Day, which benefits the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada, CCFC.

“The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada has been M&M Meat Shops corporate charity for 23 years. In that time M&M has raised over $20 million, just through the charity BBQ in May. Then we also have what we call a star program in the store,” said Brenda Impey, who owns the Strathmore and Chestermere locations with her husband Robin.

“So you donate a toonie and we give you a star, you put your name on it, and we post it in the store. Just lots of little things like that have added up to the huge amount of money, all the money that we raise goes for research, and it’s all volunteer work and efforts that go into it.”

The founder of M&M Meat Shops said it was a little-known disease and globally Canadians are the most affected, which is why the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation is the corporate choice. Canada has among the highest incidence of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis in the world, two similar yet distinct conditions also known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The public profile of these “taboo” diseases, however, continues to be low. There are more than 200,000 Canadians suffering from IBD. It is a painful and unpredictable disorder. There is no known cause or cure, and the number of cases continues to grow.

This year Amanda Holmes, daughter of famous contractor Mike Holmes, is supporting the charity BBQ day. Amanda was diagnosed with Crohn’s as a teenager, and both she and her dad are happy to be on board with M&M Meat Shops.

The store is well known in town for helping people trying to fundraise. They do-on and-off site BBQ’s. Impey said both stores are booking Saturdays already, so if people are interested in doing a fundraiser they should contact Brenda or Robin Impey right away. M&M Meat Shops will provide the BBQ, and all of the fixings. All an interested party needs to do is provide the volunteers to cook the burgers. There are also BBQ fundraising information packages available. 

“Our town is awesome, we have a great town, the community is so supportive and eager to step out and help a good cause,” said Impey.

The charity BBQ day begins at 10 a.m. on May 7 until 4 p.m. in the parking of M&M Meat Shops. For a minimum donation of $2.50, people will receive a burger or hotdog, a drink, and a bag of chips. For those who may still be hungry after their burger or hotdog there will be M&M Meat Shops strawberry shortcake bar selling for an additional $2.