Pictured (left to right): Empire Activities Director Leigh Dalgliesh, Empire resident Loretta McKenzie, Warming Centre Co-ordinator Dennis Chippa, Empire General Manager Ariane Savard, and residents Jean Grace and Mary Norton.
Pictured (left to right):
Empire Activities Director Leigh Dalgliesh, Empire resident Loretta McKenzie, Warming Centre Co-ordinator Dennis Chippa, Empire General Manager Ariane Savard, and residents Jean Grace and Mary Norton.

$4,734.

That’s how much money The Empire Warms Hearts chili lunch event raised on Friday for North Bay’s Warming Centre.

Ariane Savard, General Manager of The Empire says “We were overwhelmed by today’s turnout, and the community’s generousity,”

She adds “our residents, staff, and volunteers really pulled together to raise funds for the North Bay Warming Centre.  In just two hours Executive Chef Eric Fleming and his culinary team went through 732 orders of chili. This was our second year doing this event and we’re so happy to see the community helped us raise $4,734. We’re already looking forward to next year!”

The funds raised help The Warming Centre to continue giving people in need a safe, welcoming environment to take shelter in during cold winter nights.

In addition to food, blankets, mitts and other items to keep warm, the centre offers cots for overnight stays for those with nowhere else to go.