It’s a win-win-win for the community.
For the past six years, the four Rotary Clubs of Langley have banded together to present what has become the must-attend event of the summer and this year is no exception.
The Rotary RibFest will be rolling into Langley’s McLeod Park the weekend of Aug. 16 to 18.
This will be the public's opportunity to savour some delicious food, enjoy fabulous entertainment, and support Langley’s charities, said event chair Rick Davis.
One such charity is the Langley Meals on Wheels (LMOW).
Walking into the Firehouse Cafe, the first thing you notice are wonderful aromas of delicious and nutritious foods being prepared.
The Firehouse Cafe is a non-profit cafe operated by LMOW. In January 2023 the Firehouse Cafe opened.
“We started with a thrift store and discovered the benefits of extra funding that could be raised by volunteers,” said executive director Shannon Woykin.
Rather than continuing with a thrift store, the idea of a cafe or a coffee shop made more sense considering the charity’s mandate.
When they were able to acquire the building that once was a firehall, they moved forward and opened the cafe.
Rotary has been a significant financial supporter of Langley Meals on Wheels for many years, Woykin noted.
“Since the first RibFest in 2018, the financial contributions have been helping us to fund various projects and capital purchases,” she explained. “This support has allowed us to upgrade kitchen equipment, expand our meal delivery services, and enhance our community programs.”
While LMOW has been financial beneficiaries of Rotary, Woykin is quick to point out that the support they receive isn’t just financial.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, the support from Rotarians was absolutely crucial for Langley Meals on Wheels. With many of our regular volunteers unable to assist due to health concerns, Rotarians stepped in to fill the gap, Woykin explained.
“They not only drove delivery routes, ensuring our clients continued to receive their meals without interruption, but also helped organize and schedule other volunteers. Their dedication and efficiency allowed us to maintain and even increase our service levels during a time of unprecedented need. And Rotarians are still making food deliveries,” she added.
Some of the other charities supported include Langley Seniors Resource Society, Langley Community Health and Hospital Foundation (previously Langley Memorial Hospital Foundation), and Encompass’ Foundry for Langley’s youth.
“We plan to showcase under one big tent some 17 of the organizations we support, illustrating for people who may not know a great deal about Rotary and how we fund many varied community projects,” explained Janet Ingram-Johnson, president of the Langley Rotary Clubs Charitable Foundation and RibFest’s beneficiaries’ director.
Rotary provides support in many ways.
For example, when the Langley Senior’s Resource Society’s adult day program (ADP) needed a new dishwasher and a new van, Rotary stepped up, explained the society's executive director Kate Ludlam.
“We are tremendously grateful for their support of seniors in our community,” Ludlam said. “These are our most vulnerable clients, and it is so important that we support them, and their families, as best we can. The new van will be replacing our current van, which is on its last legs. It is used transport a healthy and nutritious lunch meal from our recreation centre to our ADP location just six blocks away for our clients."
Ludlam, who will be volunteering at RibFest for the fourth year in a row is a vegetarian.
She doesn’t go for the ribs, but noted there is lots of other good food available for everyone.
“There are other food options that are equally as yummy. There is always great entertainment as well,” she said with a smile.
Another beneficiary of RibFest is Encompass Support Services Society (Encompass). Among other community initiatives, Encompass manages a health and wellness drop-in centre for Langley’s youth.
Langley was awarded a Foundry site in the spring of 2020 and Foundry Langley opened in July 2022.
Encompass Support Services Society has benefitted through the years from what Foundry's clinical manager Jesslyn Linden calls "generous donations" from Rotary.
“The support has allowed us to improve and enhance all of the services and programs we offer that supports children, youth, and families in the Langley communities,” she explained, encouraging people to drop by and find out more about Encompass from staff on hand at RibFest.
Langley Community Health and Hospital Foundation has also benefitted in many ways from donations received from Rotary, said foundation executive director Heather Scott.
"Last year Rotary funded new pain probes for our pain clinic. In previous years, Rotary has supported the hospitals many priority needs and has been pivotal in moving health care forward,” Scott said.
“RibFest embodies community. Since the first RibFest in 2018, Rotary has donated almost $180,000 to Langley’s community hospital,” she added, noting that included money earmarked for the hospital’s ER department.
Visiting RibFest is a great way to have some fun and support the community all at the same time, said Davis, who is not only RibFest chair again this year, but also president of the Rotary Club of Langley Central.
“RibFest brings together the community, local charities and organizations, as well as businesses and local government to have a great three days of fun. Everyone working together to make this annual tradition happen demonstrates why Langley is a great place to live.”
