A shortage of a popular sauce in the Shuswap had residents bidding on the hot commodity, all in the name of charity.
Jimmy Dunlop, co-owner of Canoe Beach Café, was reading about the shortage of Sriracha hot sauce last week, specifically the name brand Huy Fong, 㽶Ƶֱwhich is apparently considered the best,㽶Ƶֱ he said, when an idea formed.
He checked the café㽶Ƶֱs fridge and found a large-sized bottle of the sauce he had purchased for a dish the café no longer serves.
Dunlop posted a photo of the sauce to social media with a caption joking 㽶ƵֱI know what I have. No lowball offers,㽶Ƶֱ and pledging the value of the best bid would be donated to Shuswap Paws Rescue Society, a local, 100 per cent volunteer-run animal rescue. The café also donates its bottles and cans to the rescue for return.
㽶ƵֱJust my sense of humour,㽶Ƶֱ said Dunlop. 㽶ƵֱOver the next few days, there were dozens of replies which made it interesting trying to keep up with people㽶Ƶֱs bids.㽶Ƶֱ
Dunlop thought to cap the auction at the highest bid at the time, $50, when he took a closer look at the bottle and, although it was full, saw the seal underneath the cap was broken.
㽶ƵֱI felt horrible but then I thought, let㽶Ƶֱs have some fun with this. I commented to all the bidders about the new developments that the bottle had been opened, equating it to how a 㽶Ƶֱgame-used㽶Ƶֱ NHL hockey stick only grew in value,㽶Ƶֱ he laughed.
Bidding went on and the eventual winner, Joanna Bickle, topped off her own leading bid of $100 with $20 extra in the spirit of charity, donating a total of $120 to Shuswap Paws.
㽶ƵֱWhen I saw the opportunity to bid on the bottle I thought it would be a fun way to donate to a good cause and get something I haven㽶Ƶֱt been able to get in a while,㽶Ƶֱ said Bickle. 㽶ƵֱMy husband and I have been strong supporters of the SPCA before and I love animals.㽶Ƶֱ
㽶ƵֱEven if it㽶Ƶֱs the last bottle I ever get, it㽶Ƶֱll be a good story to go with it,㽶Ƶֱ she laughed.
Canoe Beach Café will be hosting a second Sriracha auction this week, selling a bottle of the sauce donated by Tee Bruce-Gallant, with the profits again going to Shuswap Paws.
Dunlop said if anyone has a bottle they㽶Ƶֱd like to auction off for charity, Canoe Beach Café would happily facilitate the sale.
This is the Dunlops㽶Ƶֱ seventh year running the cafe and water sports rental unit, and Jimmy and his wife Joyce are known for giving back to the community. Their Canoe Cares Project, which rewards kids and adults with free ice cream for getting caught doing good deeds, aligns with their promise to 㽶Ƶֱnot only take care of our little piece of paradise but those within it.㽶Ƶֱ The pair also give free ice cream to expecting mothers on 㽶ƵֱMoms to Be Mondays㽶Ƶֱ and to first responders on Fridays.
The couple recently announced their business is up for sale or partnership.
㽶ƵֱTo our amazing customers㽶Ƶֱdon㽶Ƶֱt worry. We are not going anywhere until we know you will be in good hands,㽶Ƶֱ reads the Canoe Beach Café and Water Sports Facebook post.
Interested parties can inquire directly at 403-618-9704 during open hours or at jim.dunlop62@gmail.com.
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rebecca.willson@saobserver.net
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