Elks Club to host benefit dinner for Hurricane Fiona victims

Members at the Elks Club are inviting residents to enjoy the tastes of authentic east coast cooking to aid in the relief efforts for Canadians impacted by Hurricane Fiona.

A fundraiser dinner will be held at the Elks Hall on Bay Street on Oct. 27, and all proceeds will be donated through the Canadian Red Cross for the relief fund.

Catering for the event will be provided by Jiggs and Reels Catering Co., who are excited to offer a tasty lineup of traditional east coast cuisine.

Elks secretary Bob Russell says the dinner is their first big venture since COVID, and he’s looking forward to welcoming people back inside their doors for a charitable cause.

“Since COVID, we haven’t really had a chance to get out there and do things,” he says. “When we get this underway, it will hopefully lead to more fundraisers that we can get at. The success depends on the public buying the tickets.”

The owners of Jiggs and Reels are from the east coast, and Elks president Gordie McCulloch says they’re thrilled to have the chance to assist the communities that are near and dear to their hearts.

“We reached out to them, and they went for it right away,” he says. “They thought it was a great idea. We’re trying to raise all the money we can. There are still people in the dark in some places.”

“If we can raise a few thousand dollars off the dinner, that’s money they didn’t have,” Russell adds.

Elks member Donna MacDonald has family living on the east coast who faced the devastating effects of the hurricane, and she says it hasn’t been easy for them.

“My aunt and uncle just got their power back a few days ago,” she says. “Even their phone lines they only just got back.”

The Jiggs dinner includes roast turkey, salt beef, potato, turnip, carrots, cabbage, peas pudding, dressing, homemade turkey gravy, side mustard pickles and homemade pickled beets, and blueberry or molasses NL duff for dessert.

“Their food is fantastic,” McCulloch says. “They put out really nice meals. It’s a highlight for our caterers to show what they can do.”

Tickets are $40 and are available for cash purchase at the Elks Club. Members say donations are also greatly appreciated.

Doors will open at 5 p.m. on Thursday Oct. 27., and dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. Sit-down and takeout options are both available.

Live entertainment will also be provided.