Emergency donations help save Downtown Eastside Vancouver charity

There is a glimmer of hope for the Potluck Cafe Society.

After a desperate plea for emergency donations last month, warning its doors could shut without help, the non-profit says it has been able to raise enough money to stay open.

“We’ve raised about $40,000 as of today,” said Maz Artang, board chair for Potluck Cafe Society.

The charity-run catering company hasn’t yet reached its full $100,000 goal, but Artang says it’s enough to pay staff and keep the kitchen running into November.

“It definitely gives us a lifeline for maybe about another month.”

Artang tells 1130 NewsRadio that some donations have come from local businesses, but most are from the community.

“We’ve had a lot of donors reach out to us. The response has been very touching. But there is still a long way to go.”

They still need another $60,000 to make it past the fall, and Artang says Potluck’s team is continuing to reach out to donors and companies for support.

Located on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside for more than 25 years, Potluck Cafe serves thousands of meals each month, and employs people facing addiction, homelessness, and mental-health challenges in the neighbourhood.

Donations can be made online.