Bringing Good Food and Kindness to the Downtown Eastside

On the last day of May, Captain Scott Legacy Society had the opportunity to cook for The Dugout in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. We gathered a team of 8 volunteers and got to work preparing a meal for members of the community. Our partnership with The Dugout is something we truly value, and we are always grateful for opportunities to support their important and meaningful work.

Working together, our volunteers shared a common goal: to prepare a meal that was both nutritious and enjoyable. We wanted to offer options for people who might be craving either something hearty or something lighter, so we created a menu featuring chicken sandwiches and a homemade beef, vegetable, and tomato soup that we proudly called “Grandma’s Garden Beef Soup.”

We were especially grateful for the generous donation from Watari Kitchen, which provided us with access to all the ingredients we needed for the process. For the sandwiches, we prepared fresh cucumbers and tomatoes, baked and shredded chicken, and carefully assembled each sandwich by hand. In total, our team prepared 33 chicken sandwiches along with two full buckets of soup.

This meal was truly a team effort. Emily and Nick were the creative minds behind the chicken sandwiches, helping choose the ingredients and create a fresh menu. Emily’s growing passion for baking and food preparation brought an extra touch of creativity to the project, and we were grateful to have both of them leading the sandwich-making process.

We were also excited to welcome Ali for his first volunteer shift. He jumped right in, helping cut all of the beef for the soup and carrying the heavy buckets of soup for transportation to The Dugout. Victoria and Angel took on the important task of washing and chopping vegetables, helping keep the kitchen running smoothly and efficiently.

Meanwhile, Chloe led the soup preparation, carefully bringing together the ingredients and seasonings to create a warm and comforting home cooked meal. Everyone contributed their time, energy, and ideas, making the experience both productive and enjoyable for the entire team.

One of the most rewarding parts of the experience was working together as a team. From planning the menu to preparing the food, everyone contributed their ideas, energy, and time. It was inspiring to see a group of volunteers come together with the shared belief that a single meal can make a meaningful difference in someone’s day.

We always look forward to returning to The Dugout to spread kindness, joy, and good food made with care. Experiences like this remind us that community is built through action, and even small acts of service can go a really long way. We are incredibly grateful to be part of a community that supports one another, and we hope to keep contributing in ways that help make it better and stronger every day.