They came. They parked. And they fed plenty of people for a great cause.
The front parking lot of the Richmond News was the place to be April 4 as three of Vancouver’s top-rated food trucks set up shop to raise money for the Nite of Hope Richmond Gala.
Taking part were DougieDog Hot Dogs, The Aussie Pie Guy, and Reel Mac & Cheese. Together, they managed to raise $2,000.
As the event got underway, Dougie Luv of DougieDog Hot Dogs emphasised the event’s goal.
“We’re here for one reason and one reason only — to raise money for the Nite of Hope,” he said. “This is the meaning of life: family, love, good food trucks and giving back. And we’re doing all of that,” announced Luv.
“We’re here to support a great cause with the food trucks for hope,” added Michael Dunican of The Aussie Pie Guy, which not only served up some scrumptious pies topped with mashed potatoes and mushy peas, but held a draw for pie buyers to win a pair of Blundstone Boots from Australia.
Over at Reel Mac & Cheese, the husband and wife duo of Suzanne and Perry Poudrier were busy satisfying customers with their trademark pasta and cheese dishes, but stopped to underline the importance of the event.
“This is a great cause,” Perry said. “I hope a lot of people come down and have a blast.”
The rain clouds managed to stay away during the four-hour event, much to the delight of Rob Akimow, the Richmond News’ director of advertising who along with wife Richelle Akimow serve as co-chairs of this year’s Nite of Hope Richmond.
“Three (food) trucks kind of came together and wanted to support the cause and make it a bit more of an event for the Richmond community and the Nite of Hope, as well,” he said.
Money raised from the Night of Hope will go towards the purchase of breast cancer screening equipment for Richmond Hospital which is designated as a hub for Richmond and some other outlying communities.
“And any extra funds we do raise this year will still be going to (cancer) research which is what the Nite of Hope has always supported,” said Richelle.
