This year’s Rock on the Dock will have more impact than ever, says SIRCH Community Services, as money raised will go towards ensuring the kitchen gets an infusion of much-needed funds.
Organized by Gary Bouwmeister, the annual event is now in its fourth year, with all money raised supporting SIRCH. Rock on the Dock invites anyone to boat, swim or paddle to a live music concert on the shores of Kennisis Lake. This year’s event will take place Aug. 26 from 2-4 p.m. A rain date of Aug. 27 is planned.
The event was conceived by Bouwmeister as a way of giving back to the community.
“Since the 1990s I have been spending time in Haliburton and I’ve always donated to SIRCH,” he said. “It’s amazing what they do to help people.”
The concert will feature live music by Tim Magwood and admission is by donation. All funds will go towards supporting Community Kitchen, a charitable food program SIRCH operates that distributes approximately 1,400 free meals, plus soups and desserts each month to vulnerable individuals. The program tackles food insecurity in Haliburton County and the meals are distributed through 12 partner agencies. Since COVID, the demand for meals has steadily increased, as has the cost to produce them, SIRCH said.
With funds needed to keep this program going, Bouwmeister is happy to support the cause
It’s so important that everybody in Haliburton, and everywhere, can have a sufficient amount of food to eat,” he said.
SIRCH executive director, Gena Robertson, said the impact the Community Kitchen meals have on individuals is “incredible.
“The feedback we get from recipients is a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation,” Robertson said. “One recipient told us, ‘this year, I think, may in fact have been the scariest and most challenging to survive and move forward. I’m in deep water with everything, but most of all I haven’t had enough food to provide my family since COVID, and it’s getting harder and harder.”
For the past few years, hundreds of individuals have attended and donated and Bouwmeister hopes this year is no different. The event has raised thousands of dollars for SIRCH. Even if you can’t attend the event, organizers are encouraging donations.
More information about SIRCH and Rock on the Dock, including how to donate, can be found at sirch.ca/DONATE.
