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CE manager Catherine Lyle and her helper Troy

The first snowstorm of the season resulted in an unexpected – and warmly welcomed – gift from the Faculty of Dentistry to a homeless shelter in Dartmouth.

When Dalhousie University announced a storm closure early in the morning of December 4, the Faculty of Dentistry’s annual professional development day and holiday luncheon at the Atlantica Hotel was also called off.

Unfortunately, it was too late to cancel the food that had been ordered for 105 faculty and staff. Dr. Ben Davis, dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, and Catherine Lyle, manager of continuing education, decided that the best option was to donate it to a homeless shelter.
 
It was a telephone call The Bridge in Dartmouth, a former DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, now converted into the largest homeless shelter in Nova Scotia, was happy to receive. The donated food comprised a full day's menu, including muffins, pastries, fruit sticks, a cheese tray, and a holiday season lunch buffet of traditional turkey meal with trimmings, grilled salmon, salads, roasted vegetables, vegetables, and an array of desserts.

Audra Hayden (on the back of the truck) and staff at The Bridge

Yen Hoang, catering sales manager at the Atlantica Hotel, and chefs Shrey and Joey oversaw the preparation of the food for delivery. Audra Hayden, manager of clinic support services in the Faculty of Dentistry and her grandson Troy, helped with the delivery by providing a truck and extra hands.

Shelter director Rylee Booroff was waiting at The Bridge to meet the Faculty of Dentistry team and expressed her gratitude for the donation. Lyle says she has also received several messages from colleagues in the Faculty to say how delighted they were about the decision to donate the food to The Bridge.