Forced to close, dance club now provides food and clothing on city’s north side

Forced to close, dance club now provides food and clothing on city’s north side

EDMONTON (CityNews) – An Edmonton dance club once packed with people listening to live music before the pandemic has reinvented itself to support the community.

After closing due to COVID-19, the owners of Boot Scootin’ Boogie Dancehall converted their building into a space for individuals and families in need of food, clothing and some warmth.

On weekends they serve up meals as part of their “Let’s Eat” program.

“There’s always somebody in greater need than us, so we thought, let’s give back to the community,” said Chuck McKenna, co-founder of the program.

McKenna is among several volunteers spending their weekends giving back to the community. He says many people are benefitting from the group’s generosity.

“Some are homeless, some are not,” he said. “Some are on very low incomes and they’re choosing between rent or food, so if we can give a hot meal for them and their kids on weekends, that just warms our heart and it’s a blessing.”

McKenna says this is exactly what’s been missing on Edmonton’s north side, as most places that offer help are outside the community.

“Unfortunately, some of the outer communities have been forgotten,” he said. “This isn’t just a slop kitchen where you come in and get what we made that day, there’s choices and we’re going to treat you like a customer and with respect.”

Justin Tennant, one of the volunteers, used to be homeless himself until the club’s director offered him a place to stay and a job about three years ago. Now back on his feet, he feels grateful to be part of this lunch program and able to give back.

“We know what a lot of these people are going through and we want to give them the benefit of the doubt, an opportunity, and try to help as much as we can,” he said.

Tennant says what they’re doing at the dance hall is different than other centres that offer help. He hopes the not-for-profit can be the reason someone else betters their life.

“The biggest thing with the downtown places is the human contact is more like human to cattle,” said Tennant. “You do not feel like you’re treated as a person in a lot of them. You’re just put in and you’re just a number.”

Organizers say they plan to run the “Let’s Eat” program for as long as they can.

Along with food, the group is also accepting donations of warm clothing from anyone who wants to help.

Published at Sun, 14 Feb 2021 00:05:33 +0000