Big Shop of Horrors Society Raises $55,600 for Local Charities

The Big Shop of Horrors Charity Society has successfully raised $55,600 to support local food banks and charities in the Cowichan region. This impressive figure surpassed their initial fundraising goal of $50,000, illustrating the community’s commitment to addressing food insecurity during the Halloween season.

According to Tara McHugh-Lee, president of the Big Shop of Horrors Charity Society, “We scare because we care. Every scream, every laugh, and every ticket sold helps fuel programs that support families, feed neighbours, and lift up our community.” The funds raised will benefit several local organizations, particularly the Cowichan Valley Basket Society (CVBS), which has seen a significant increase in demand for its services.

In October 2023, the CVBS served 1,600 individuals through its soup kitchen and hamper programs. This marked a substantial rise from the 510 individuals served in the same month last year. To further address this growing need, the Big Shop of Horrors Charity Society presented a donation of $20,000 to the CVBS at the end of November. This contribution aims to support the organization’s expansion efforts and enhance their ability to serve the community.

Henry Wikkerink, executive director of the CVBS, expressed gratitude for the donation: “We are so thankful for the support to provide food to families experiencing food insecurity. Each month, we serve more people than we did the previous year. This donation will help us buy and process food for our hampers.” He noted that November 2023 saw a 10 percent increase in service compared to the previous year, underlining the urgent need for resources.

The Big Shop of Horrors Charity Society also extended its support to other local charities, distributing $39,000 through the Full Cupboard community program to seven island food banks. Additionally, Island Savings contributed a matching donation of $5,000 to further bolster these efforts. Other beneficiaries included:

– $8,000 to the Cowichan Exhibition Society
– $5,500 to the Ladysmith Resources Centre Association
– $5,500 to Chemainus Harvest House Society
– $3,000 to St. John Ambulance
– $3,600 to the MS Society
– $2,500 to Mustard Seed Street Church
– $2,500 to Nanaimo Loaves & Fishes
– $2,000 to the Ladysmith Lions Club
– $1,500 to both Lake Cowichan and CMS Food Bank

The mission of the Big Shop of Horrors Charity Society extends beyond fundraising; it aims to create memorable haunted house experiences while fostering community engagement through volunteerism and education. This year, approximately 4,500 visitors braved the haunted house over 11 nights at the Cowichan Exhibition Grounds. More than 150 volunteers transformed a 3,000-square-foot barn into a captivating haunted attraction filled with elaborate surprises.

Local businesses, restaurants, and non-profit organizations, including St. John Ambulance and the Cowichan Exhibition, played a vital role in supporting the event through in-kind contributions. The success of the Big Shop of Horrors demonstrates the power of community collaboration in addressing critical issues such as food insecurity, reinforcing a shared commitment to ensuring that no one in the Cowichan region goes hungry.