THUNDER BAY – Dining in the Dark is an eye-opening experience.
Martina Benvegnu on Wednesday learned first-hand just how tough it can be, as the Canadian National Institute launched ticket sales for its annual fundraising dinner, scheduled for June 8 at the Red Lion Smokehouse.
A sighted guide at last year’s event, she said trying to eat while blindfolded definitely isn’t anywhere near as easy as it might seem.
“Sight is definitely something that you take for granted for sure,” she said. “At one point we were told we were holding our knives upside down and I would have no idea about that. Shrimp is definitely an interesting thing to eat blindfolded.
“It definitely gives you a different perspective.”
It’s just another meal for Kai Crites, who is visually impaired – though not totally blind – and thinks it’s a great idea for people to eat a four-course meal without sight.
“It’s a way to help people understand,” Crites said. “It helps, of course the raising money part, which helps the services and programs for us. But it also helps people understand a little snippet of what it could be like to deal with some degree of vision loss.
“Most people don’t ever think to do that, to even just close their eyes.”
Last year’s event, based on similar meals held in Paris and New York, raised about $8,163.
Organizer Kelly Rooney called it a unique experience, allowing diners to experience their meal in a new way.
“It’s a great way for us to raise money and to raise awareness about what it’s like to have those every day challenges for someone with sight loss. It also lets diners experience their food in a different way. When you take away the benefit of sight you notice all the aromas and textures while you’re exploring your food,” Rooney said.
About 1,300 people access CNIB services at any given time in Northwestern Ontario. Many more could, but choose not to do so.
Tickets for Dining in the Dark are $75 apiece and are available online at www.dininginthedarktbay.com or at the Dining in the Dark – Thunder Bay Facebook page.
Correction: The original version of this story indicated the event raised $5,300 in 2016, but CNIB, which provided the initial amount, has since provided a new figure of $8,163.
