Battleford and area businesses are working together to bring Easter to the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Saskatchewan government ordered that gatherings must be limited to no more than 10 people in one room, except when people can maintain two metres between them. Restaurants were also ordered to close, effective March 23, and families were urged by the province on April 7 not to gather during Easter.
But Easter dinner will still come to many in the Battlefords area after local business Blend Restaurant and Bar launched an Easter fundraiser.
“The idea came to me when I was thinking we always have a big family gathering at my house, 30 to 40 people, and we are not able to do that this year,” said owner Robin Petersen. “A lot of seniors can’t come out and I kind of assumed that mostly seniors would buy these meals but it’s for anybody. A lot of people simply can’t see their family.”
Petersen is donating all proceeds from the Easter dinner to the Boys and Girls Clubs of The Battlefords. Each meal costs $15 and will be cooked fresh and packaged cold in microwaveable containers. Those ordering have a choice of turkey or ham dinner. The deadline to order is April 8 and anyone interested can call the restaurant at 306-937-0000.
Since closing, Blend Restaurant and Bar laid off 30 staff but they’re still doing take-out orders.
“We are only doing a fraction of the business we used to do,” said Petersen, adding that it’s been tough to only provide take out because they are a full-service restaurant.
“We are not the only ones though. Every small business is suffering.”
When restaurants were ordered to close, Blend Restaurant and Bar had food they didn’t want to waste.
“When we shut down, we took the perishable items in a truck load to the Boys and Girls Club,” said Petersen.
“We are trying to find things to keep ourselves motivated,” he added. “And that’s why we are working on things like donating meals and supplies.”
Likewise, Chris Odishaw from Battleford Furniture echoed that sentiment. He is buying 55 Easter dinners and donating them.
“Easter is going to be tough this year because there’s no church,” said Odishaw. “I just feel the need to get out there and help people.”
Correction: The meals will be packaged cold and not frozen.
