Thursday May 14, 2020 ~ LANGFORD
by Mary Brooke ~ West Shore Voice News
A professional sports team has paired up with the restaurant industry — both in struggling business sectors in BC during the COVID-19 pandemic — to help others who are in need of food during the pandemic.
Due to social distancing orders from the Provincial Health Officer that restrict gatherings to no more than 50 people, both professional sports and the restaurant industry have been hit pretty hard for spring/summer and possibly also autumn of 2020 in that regard.
Today May 14, the Pacific FC professional soccer team announced the launch of their Pacific FC mask campaign in partnership with BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association and the City of Langford. Proceeds from mask sales will go toward providing food to those in need throughout the Greater Victoria region.
This would have been Pacific FC’s second full season playing their home games at Westhills Stadium in Langford. They also recently completed their Island Training Centre in the Westhills area, which held a soft opening in December 2019 just before the pandemic hit but then suspended operations on March 13 as COVID-19 took hold in the province.
Leadership by the City of Langford:
“We are working with local restaurants and the City of Langford to create a unique program to help those who need it most in our community,” said Brad Norris-Jones, Vice President Operations, Pacific FC.
“We’re hoping we can make an impact on both staying safe and the growing need for basic necessities in the region.”
Over the coming weeks, Pacific FC will be selling the branded masks online with net proceeds being divided between 14 restaurants and food service companies that support the club. The restaurants will use the funds to provide meals to one of the local agencies offered through Pacific FC’s partner the City of Langford.
Wearing masks as part of COVID-19:
Canadians are growing more accustomed to wearing cloth face masks while walking around their neighbourhoods or running errands during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fans and supporters can show their team pride by wearing Pacific FC non-medical grade protection masks and be part of the We Are One community.
The use of cloth face coverings is not intended to replace other recommended measures to limit the community spread of COVID-19, such as social distancing, washing your hands and refraining from touching your face. Visit the Public Health Agency of Canada and http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19 for more information about preventing the spread of COVID-19.
How to buy the Pacific FC masks:
The face coverings — sold in 2-packs — are available in adult size. Pre-orders can be transacted on the Pacific FC website. Masks are tentatively scheduled to ship in early June. The cost for two face masks is $19.99 plus tax. Shipping or curbside pickup from the Pacific FC Island Training Centre on Kettle Creek Drive in Westhills are the two available delivery/pickup options.
Helping the food service business sector:
This aspect of helping restaurants as pat of the challenged small business sector during the pandemic sees the Pacific FC venture helping the following BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association members that are included in this initiative are: Moxie’s Grill & Bar; Beacon Drive-in; The Strathcona Hotel; Irish Times Pub; Darcy’s Pub (Westshore and Downtown); 1550’s Pub Style Restaurant; local White Spot Restaurants (Westshore and Fort Street); Chucks Burger Bar; Browns Social House Langford; and FreshCoast Health Food Bar.
The program will extend to local food truck companies: Max Mini Donuts; Greek on the Street; The Cookie Guy; and Morning People.
During the pandemic, the BC Restaurant Association and Foodservices Association says to their members: “We’re here to lead you through the reopening of in-restaurant dining.” The association represents Licensed Restaurants, Non-Licensed Restaurants, Suppliers, and Chain Restaurants.
Part of a broader trend:
The program in Langford is similar to a high-profile initiative in New York City called Brooklyn for Life, which is specifically donating meals to front-line health care workers and first-responders through a designated set of restaurants, designed to help both sectors.