NEWS RELEASE

 

To Protect the Health of our Community,
St. Joseph’s Health Centre Foundation Cancels Taste of Guelph for 2020

Wednesday, May 13, 2020 – GUELPH, ON- For nearly a quarter-century, Taste of Guelph has been one of the most beloved fall events in our community. Each September, more than 750 guests gather to sip, sample and share all that the city’s culinary scene has to offer. But this year, out of an abundance of care and caution, and with the health and safety of the Guelph community as a top priority, the event organizer and beneficiary, St. Joseph’s Health Centre Foundation Guelph, announced today that it will cancel its signature garden party fundraiser in 2020.

“As a healthcare organization, we know that this is the right decision to protect the health of our community, and that of the patients and residents we’re honoured to serve,” says the Foundation’s Vice-President of Development, Jennifer Hall.

But Taste of Guelph isn’t just a day of fine food and friendship. Over the past five years alone, the event has raised more than $600,000—helping to fund essential medical equipment, transportation services and music therapy programming for patients and residents at St. Joe’s.

“It’s true, we rely on Taste of Guelph to raise more than $150,000 each year. With over 100 in-patient specialty hospital beds and 240 long term care beds, the support of our community remains critical,” confirms Hall. “But we are fortunate to live in a very generous community. We continue to be both humbled and inspired by the gifts of food, flowers and personal protective equipment arriving at our doors almost daily. We invite those people who would have traditionally attended Taste of Guelph to consider making a donation to St. Joseph’s pandemic response fund, and rest assured we look forward to bringing Taste back, better than ever, in 2021.”

The measures in place to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus have also had a significant impact on the wineries, breweries, caterers and restaurants that truly make Taste of Guelph such a remarkable event, year after year. St. Joseph’s Health Centre Foundation remains forever grateful for their partnership and support, and encourages the Guelph community to continue ordering take out from these local businesses and to patronize their establishments as soon as it is safe to do so. For updates on Taste of Guelph 2021, visit our website www.tasteofguelph.com or Facebook page: /TasteofGuelph

 

Media Contact:
Ansley Foreman, Communications Officer
ansley.foreman@sjhcg.ca or 519-767-3424
St. Joseph’s Health Centre Foundation Guelph
100 Westmount Road, Guelph, ON N1H 5H8
https://foundation.sjhcg.ca