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Bashaw Community Kitchen hosts free event

Community cooking for all occasions
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(Photos submitted) (Photo submitted)

By Janaia Hutzal

For the Bashaw Star

The Bashaw and Area Community Resource Centre is teaming up with Camrose Family Resource Centre to host a free “planning and cooking” event with Bashaw Community Kitchen on May 4 and May 11.

Ashley Buelow-Erickson, who has facilitated the community cooking program since it began in September, said that she is hopeful the free event will bring out more people — not only for the enjoyment, but to also “open the door” to the many services offered by the local resource centres.

“It could help families that are needing the help right now,” said Buelow-Erickson, who is a Bashaw resident.

The kitchen, where small groups come together on Wednesday evenings to plan and prepare healthy entrees to take home, hosts four events per month and have on average six participants each week. Two to three entrees are made every other week for a cost of about $3.50 per portion, which can either be enjoyed right away or frozen, ready to feed a busy family.

Buelow-Erickson said that cooking as a group not only has significant cost saving advantages, the setting also creates an inviting social atmosphere that only requires a scheduling commitment of two evenings: one to plan and one to cook.

“The view of it has somewhat changed since I started,” said Buelow-Erickson, referring to the positive impact she has seen in areas of mental health through connecting, sharing, cooking and saving.

Although the initial start-up was a lot of work, for her the rewards of community building and helping others have been immense.

“I have the best job ever.”

She is grateful for the Bashaw and surrounding area businesses that have supported the program, which has allowed them to “never turn anyone away.” Early on, donations were made by Camrose Super Store and Bashaw Home Hardware to fill the kitchen with essentials. Since then, many local businesses have stepped up to assist where they can.

Dakota Hunker and her husband Bobby Hunker, owners of Bashaw Meats and Sausages Ltd., are amongst the ongoing contributors. The shop supplies meat purchased by Bashaw Community Kitchen at cost.

“We love giving back,” said Dakota, who added that she is fortunate to live in a town where the residents are known for their generosity.

“It’s a great town.”

There is no need to register for the May 4 meal planning event that will be held at the Bashaw United Church at 6:30 p.m. Those who join in on “The Plan” can register for the following Wednesday evening, which will be “The Cook.”

As a single mom who moved away from Bashaw and found her way back home during the pandemic, Buelow-Erickson said that she looks forward to the evenings out — and to have healthy meals to take home to her three children.

“Personally, it hits most of the boxes,” she said. “And it’s a lot of fun.”