THUNDER BAY – A selection of local eateries are celebrating pride month with a colourful – and edible – fundraising campaign.
Eleven bakeries and restaurants participating in the Take Home TBay: Dessert Days have created a selection of eye-catching dessert features that celebrate diversity in the brightest way.
For every item sold through June 13, one dollar will be donated to the United Way of Thunder Bay and the Rainbow Collective Thunder Bay.
The agencies will use the funds to offer supports such as food, housing, clothing, transportation, and crisis counselling, the United Way said.
Proceeds will also support the Rainbow Collective’s Community Mirco-Grant Program. The low barrier micro-grants support the gender and sexual diversity community by donating supplies such as gender-affirming gear, funding art and support group projects, and supporting basic needs groceries.
“Pride is about collaboration, love, and coming together,” said Jason Veltri, the collective’s president. “In a year [when] we are not having in-person events, these types of occasions are crucial to further inclusion, and these delicious desserts are the icing on the cake!”
Participating eateries include Daytona’s, Donato’s Bakery, Kangas Sauna, Milk & Water Baking Co., Nomad Bakeshop & Sandwich Bar, Red Lion Smokehouse, Simply Sweet Dessert at Beefcake Burger Factory, Swell Bakery, Sweet North Bakery, TJ’s Ice Cream Shoppe, and the Tomlin.
Bakers and pastry chefs were challenged to create a unique dessert showcasing pride, inclusivity, diversity, and local love, and were encouraged to use the colours of the rainbow and transgender flag,
Desserts include everything from colourful shaved ice, rainbow-lemon macarons, a one-of-a-kind Pride Panna Cotta, Persian cheesecake, cruffins, and cupcakes.
“Dessert Days is a way you can show your local love in action and pride in Thunder Bay,” said Colleen Peters, Cabinet Chair of GenNext, which leads the Take Home TBay initiative.
The organization is hosting a variety of Take Home Tbay events throughout 2021, including partnerships with local business as a way to generate funds for those in need and to support the local community.
More information on the Dessert Days campaign is available at the United Way's website.
Have you spotted breaking news? Police, fire, and other stories of interest in our community? Then we want to hear from you. If we use your photo or your tip leads to a story being published on our site, you'll be entered into a draw for a monthly prize. Send us your photos and your news tip to photos@dougallmedia.com and win!
