In a bid to build team spirit and support struggling restaurants, the province’s construction industry will launch its fourth annual lunch-box challenge next month.
The annual event, which sees companies treat their work crews to a free lunch from a local restaurant, has expanded this year to offer $37,500 in grants to encourage companies to get involved.
“Our industry was declared essential throughout the pandemic, and while it’s been a tough year, we’re proud of how well we’ve done and keen to give the workforce a bit of recognition,” said Chris Atchison, president of the B.C. Construction Association.
“We’re grateful that we were able to keep working.
“The restaurant industry hasn’t been so fortunate, so it’s good to do a little something to help the local restaurants who are also working hard in every community.”
While some new spots have opened up over the last year, the province’s restaurant industry estimates that by the end of the pandemic, it will lose as many as 4,500 locations — almost a third of an estimated 15,000 pre-pandemic.
Last year, more than 200 construction firms took on the lunch-box challenge. The association expects that number to grow significantly this year, with “starter grants” of $250 or $500 — depending on the size of the work crew – being offered as an incentive for companies to get involved.
Ian Tostenson, chief executive of the B.C. Restaurant and Foodservices Association, said “it’s wonderful” to see the construction industry support local restaurants that may be struggling to get through the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s a generous idea and we’re thrilled to support it by making posters available to all our members so they can put them up in the window, or even visit the construction sites near them and make sure they’re aware of the grants and the lunch-box challenge.”
The initiative, with the hashtag #lunchboxchallenge, was introduced by Scott Construction last spring, and has since been supported by the B.C. Construction Association and LNG Canada.
It is now part of April’s official Construction Month activities.
