Making a change one meal at a time

STORY AND PHOTOS BY PAIGE GALEA

This year was the second Dine For Change for the United Way Oakville.

“Basically it`s a restaurant challenge. We go out to the community asking different restaurants to help out the United Way,” said Lisa Tran, a Sheridan student and co-ordinator of Dine For Change explains

The participating restaurants chose one dish from their menu and, when ordered, donated $1 to the United Way Oakville for the first three weeks in November.

“This year we got 22 different restaurants in Oakville to participate and it was amazing to see how the community came together,” said Tran.

Lisa 2.0, as some may call her, co-ordinated this years Dine for Change.

“This started last year from another student in Sheridan also named Lisa so now they call us Lisa 1.0 and Lisa 2.0. Maybe next year there will be a Lisa 3.0,” said Tran.

As part of the Marketing program, students are to complete a co-op placement and Tran is taking full advantage of the opportunity.

“I am post-grad Marketing student from Sheridan and I’m doing a co-op placement at the United Way, I think this all ties in together because Sheridan is helping me getting this co-op placement and this co-op is helping me help the wider community,” said Tran

Last year’s winner of Dine for Change was Monaghan’s, a place Trafalgar Campus students know very well.

“We are happy to participate again this year, we get to support local charities and support the community,” said Monaghan’s Owner Claudio Serraro. “We won last year and we are hoping for another win this year.”

The United Way is partnered with schools, governments, unions, business leaders, neighbourhood residents and not-for profits to address social issues and develop effective long-term strategies.

According to The United Way Oakville brochure, because of funds raised all throughout 2012, 3,000 youth participated in educational and recreational school programs, mentoring programs and leadership programs, helping their lives take a turn for the better.

Oakville restaurants that participated in this year`s Dine for Change included Corks, Seasons, Bru, Boston Pizza, Alice Fazoolis, Maluca, Julia, Ritorno, Montfort, Sunnyside Grill, Taste of Colombia, Granny`s Place, Marble Slab Creamery, Panago, Wimpys Diner, Greyfriars, English Bay Fish and Chips and Ola Bakery and Pastries.

“I just really want to thank all the restaurants that participated this year and let them know how much it has helped the community,” said Tran.