For the past 20 years, Sonny Roche has been a dedicated volunteer working tirelessly to deliver meals to those living with HIV/AIDS.
On March 29, more than 250 restaurants from Whistler to White Rock and across the Fraser Valley will contribute 25 per cent of their sales to people living with HIV/AIDS. Sponsored by the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Courier, Dining Out For Life is B.C.'s largest restaurant fundraiser, benefiting A Loving Spoonful and Friends For Life. The charity event has generated over $3 million for HIV/AIDS support services in the past 16 years.
Roche has dedicated a large part of his career to helping others. Now retired, Roche was an activity coordinator and part-time fundraiser for Lookout Emergency Aid Society, the largest homeless shelter in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.
Roche even purchased a Volvo station wagon specifically so he could fit the meals in his car for delivery.
How many meals have you personally served?
Thousands and thousands!
What would a day delivering meals look like?
I pick up the bread we add to the meals for clients, then head over to Urban Fare and pick up the products they donate to us and then to our warehouse before delivering meals to clients in the Downtown Eastside.
Where do the meals come from?
Appetito. They provide all of our frozen meals. They are delivered directly to our warehouse. Clients have over 48 nutritious, not to mention delicious, meals to choose from and everything is free of charge to our clients.
Do you have a favourite?
I haven't eaten all of the meals but I like the macaroni and cheese with meat.
How many clients do you serve?
ALS serves over 200 clients and delivers over 100,000 meals to men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS every year.
I understand, you help not only people living with HIV/AIDS but homeless youth as well?
The Hot Meals for Homeless Youth program provides hot meals once a week to homeless youth affected by HIV/AIDS. The program uses communal food as a springboard for nutrition, education and program access.
Why do you keep doing it?
Because I love it!
Biggest reward?
Giving back.
Best life lesson you've learned?
To be accepting--of people, places and things.
A talent you possess that many are not aware of?
I'm a latent interior designer.
One lesson you'd love to give others?
Give back.
One thing you could change about the world?
Peace.
One thing you hate most about the world?
I don't hate anything.
One thing you wish Vancouverites would stop whining about?
The rain.
Biggest accomplishment?
Living life.
Three words to live by
Let it go.
A talent you possess that many are not aware of?
I'm a latent interior designer.
One thing you can't live without?
My Volvo.
If you had a million dollars, how would you spend it?
I would donate most of it.
Last $20 bucks to your name, how would you spend it?
I would go get some food.
Favorite restaurant?
Mangia E Bevi Ristorante, West Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»
Your biggest indulgence?
Pasta.
Last book read?
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
All-time favorite movie?
To Kill a Mockingbird
Favourite pastime?
Cooking and hiking with my dog
Favorite sports team?
Canucks and Whitecaps
Last place traveled?
New York City
Best thing about this city?
Everything, I love Vancouver.
Worst thing about this city?
Bad Drivers.
Your favourite neighbourhood?
So many, I love them all.
What would the perfect day in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»look like for you?
Go for a walk. Volunteer my time and cook a nice dinner.
The one place you take out-of-town visitors to show off our city?
Stanley Park.
Who inspires you?
Easter Armas, Founder of A Loving Spoonful, She is my Mother Teresa.
Who bugs you?
No one. I accept life as it comes.
Local person you admire most?
Gregor Robertson
Unsung hero?
The volunteers at A Loving Spoonful
Most memorable celebrity encounter?
Met Oprah Winfrey at 7 am at the LA airport in the early '90's. Saw this entourage of people coming all dressed in black and I said 'Oprah' and she said 'Hi, how ya doing.' Pretty amazing.
If you could be any celebrity?
George Clooney. He is passionate about helping charities.
