Airdrie food truck fair hosted in support of mental health

A coalition of community food trucks came together in Airdrie in partnership with the Thumbs Up Foundation in support of mental health at Food Truck Fever on June 4 and 5.

The food truck fair, hosted by Cam Clark Ford Airdrie, offered patrons a wide-array of on-site vendors to choose from, including tacos, souvlaki and mini donuts, all while raising funds and awareness for mental health initiatives.

According to Bev Lypka, the co-owner of Fresh Choice Mini Donuts, members of the Community Food Truck Group on Facebook initially came together last summer for a food truck fair as a way to do business and make a difference in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

She said this year's partnership with the Thumbs Up Foundation – an Airdrie based non-profit that focuses on mental health advocacy and suicide prevention and awareness – was a result of recognizing a growing need for mental health supports in Airdrie. She added the founders of Thumbs Up Foundation are also her neighbours, so she was aware of what they have accomplished in the mental health sector over the last few years.

“It seemed a no-brainer to help them,” Lypka said.

A patron of Fresh Choice Mini Donuts places an order for mini donuts on a Saturday afternoon at Food Truck Fever. Photo by Carmen Cundy/Airdrie City View

The Airdrie-based foundation was established in 2015 after husband and wife, J. Kim Titus and S. Kim Titus lost their son Braden to suicide in 2015. After suffering from depression leading up to his suicide, Braden was unable to get the help he needed.

In response to his passing, the foundation aims to provide those struggling with access to crucial mental health resources and supports.

Lypka said the Titus’ loss hit close to home, as she is aware of other families that have also been impacted by suicide.

“I think almost everyone has been exposed to some level of mental illness,” she said. “COVID has impacted mental illness even more, so having a program right here in Airdrie is wonderful, as many people that require help don’t have the means to travel outside our city.”

Lypka added a donation jar located at the entrance to the food truck fair was available for donations at the recent event, while a table was also set up to provide visitors education on all the programs offered through the foundation.

“The Thumbs Up Foundation has expanded their program extensively and as a result, has a 95 per cent success rate,” she said.

“I personally have referred coworkers that have had success and I see how their lives have improved. I have also read some of the testimonies from Kim, bringing tears to my eyes.”

Kim Titus, chair of the Thumbs Up Foundation, said she was amazed to see Lypka and others in the food truck business community come together in support of mental health at Food Truck Fever.

Several local food trucks partnered with the Thumbs Up Foundation for Food Truck Fever on June 4-5. Photo by Carmen Cundy/Airdrie City View

“It was great to see the community come out to support [the foundation],” she said. “People seemed to be really appreciative – we were thanking them for coming and they were thanking us for having [the event].”

She added she feels the event helped raise awareness of mental health in the community, and as a result, the foundation has had people reach out for support in recent days.

"And the fact that it happened in June with Mental Health Awareness month, it was a perfect tie-in,” she said. “It was community at its finest – one of our biggest focuses is the ‘unity’ in community, and [the event] really showcased that to me.”

She added participants in the Harmonized Health Project, which is one of the Thumbs Up Foundation’s more recent programs, came out to the event to support and talk to one another.

Several patrons stand in line for donuts at Fresh Choice Mini Donuts food truck at the Food Truck Fever on Saturday. Photo by Carmen Cundy/Airdrie City View

“It was people who have benefited from the things that we’ve done who wanted to come and share their stories and give back,” she said. “When you create a place and a space for good things to happen, good things happen.”

Carmen Cundy, AirdrieToday.com  

Follow me on Twitter @carmenrcundy