Fundraising dinners build 'complete community food chain'
Little Wolf's monthly dinners in support of Edmonton's Food Bank are more than just a fundraiser — they're a way to engage the entire community.
"Hospitality means putting food on the table for everyone," said Little Wolf owner Shaun Hicks. "It means making sure there's a seat for everybody, and in this case, some of those seats are outside the restaurant."
Little Wolf hosts vegan, three-course dinners on the last Monday of each month, with all proceeds after operational costs going to the food bank. The events have raised between $20,000 and $25,000 since they began in July 2024. Diners each pay $55, plus a $5 reservation fee.
There's a bit more to it than your typical fundraiser, Hicks told Taproot, because it is a "complete community food chain" — a term he coined for dining that enriches community across four segments: grocers, diners, restaurant staff, and, of course, clients of the food bank.
"The first part of the community (food chain) is buying from community businesses," Hicks said.
Hicks buys from markets such as H&W Produce and the Italian Centre Shop rather than a multinational corporate supplier because it keeps his dollar local, and he often finds savings that maximize what he's able to donate to the food bank. In some instances, he's been able to make a meal worth $55 out of ingredients that cost as little as $15.
"We then use those things to host a dinner for people in the community that either have dietary restrictions or just want to have a night out that is restaurant-forward," Hicks said.
Every benefit dinner is vegan and largely gluten-free, and Hicks is willing to make substitutions for allergens, which is not as common in fine dining as in places with more of a hippie vibe, Hicks suggested.
"We chose vegan because it is the most inclusive food that you could serve anyone, unless you're emasculated by vegetables, which can still happen in Alberta," Hicks said with a laugh. "We treat it like you're here for a fancy dinner, rather than some vegetarian or vegan spots, where it can be more health-minded."
