REGINA — What started as a simple idea to bring people together has grown into a powerful movement, raising more than $100,000 to support those facing food insecurity, poverty and hardship in Regina.
The community-led campaign Play with Your Food is wrapping up its 2025–26 fundraising season this weekend with a 24-hour celebration at the University of Regina, marking another major milestone in support of Carmichael Outreach.
The campaign, which officially runs from June through the end of March, brings together teams across the city to host creative, grassroots fundraisers, all with one goal in mind: helping those who need it most.
“We launched this campaign the middle of June in 2025, and it goes till March 26,” explained chair Chelsea Steenbock. “People register in teams and host micro fundraisers throughout the year… where all the proceeds go to Carmichael Outreach.”
Turning fun into real impact
From crib tournaments and crokinole nights to paint classes and community barbecues, the campaign thrives on creativity and connection.
“We really rely on the support of community and businesses within the community to allow us to go into their spaces and bring people into their businesses,” Steenbock shared, pointing to partnerships with local favourites like Pile of Bones, Rebellion Brewing and District Brewing.
Those partnerships have helped turn everyday outings into meaningful contributions.
“It’s mutually beneficial,” she noted. “They’re doing good work, but they’re also bringing people… into their businesses to expose them to the awesome environments that they provide.”
Major fundraising events throughout the year added momentum, including a sold-out raffle that brought in over $12,000, a Facebook auction that raised roughly $11,000, and a summer barbecue event that generated nearly $3,500.
But the real story lies in the smaller, community-driven efforts.
“Through private events and things like that… teams raised close to eighty thousand dollars in activities for the general public to participate in,” Steenbock said. “Which is really, really incredible.”
A growing legacy of giving
The milestone is part of a much larger story.
Since its launch in 2013, Play with Your Food has raised more than $500,000 for organizations supporting vulnerable populations in Regina, including Carmichael Outreach, Souls Harbour and Street Culture Kidz.
After pausing during the COVID-19 pandemic, the campaign relaunched in 2023 and has quickly regained momentum.
“In the four campaigns that I’ve been part of, we’ve raised over three hundred thousand,” Steenbock said. “Which is pretty incredible.”
At its core, she emphasized, the initiative is about more than fundraising.
“Play With Your Food at its very core is all about supporting community and building a community that is really supportive of one another.”
Supporting those who need it most
For Carmichael Outreach, the impact of that support is tangible and immediate.
Since 1988, the organization has been a lifeline in Regina, offering food security programs, housing supports, harm reduction services, and essential resources for individuals and families facing hardship.
Even a small contribution can make a difference.
“You could attend a crib night… and the $25 you paid goes to support Carmichael,” Steenbock said. “Maybe it buys food for one person for the week… lunch every day for a week.”
She added that those funds also help sustain critical programs, including laundry services, showers, and supports for young mothers.
“It’s really incredible when you can put together fun times for yourself and know… that money goes and does wonderful things within our community for those who need it.”
Celebrating a community effort
The campaign will culminate in a 24-hour gaming event this weekend, bringing together the teams who made the fundraising success possible.
The event, held at the University of Regina, is not open to the public but serves as a celebration of the volunteers who dedicated months of effort to the cause.
“It’s really the celebration of all the teams who’ve put in the hard work,” Steenbock said. “We just gather together to play games for 24 hours.”
Backed by support from local businesses providing food and resources, the event is designed to recognize the collective effort behind the campaign and inspire continued involvement.
While this year’s campaign is coming to a close, the work is far from over.
Organizers plan to relaunch on June 1, with new events already in the works, including another large-scale community barbecue.
Steenbock hopes more people will get involved, not just to give back, but to experience the sense of connection that defines the campaign.
“There’s no better way to get involved and do something fun… and know that whatever you paid goes directly to help the most vulnerable within our community,” she said.
