Get ready to have fun and support a fantastic food initiative in Guelph this Saturday, March 22! The North End Harvest Market (NEHM) is hosting its much-anticipated “Rockin’ the Oldies Quarter Auction” at Trinity United Church, located at 400 Stevenson St. N. The event kicks off with a vendor’s walk at 12 p.m., followed by the auction at 1 p.m. So, put on your poodle skirt or leather jacket and join in the fun!

A Fundraiser with a Twist

The NEHM, a program of the Guelph Neighbourhood Support Coalition, has been providing fresh produce to local residents for over a decade. Now, they’re inviting the community to help fund their ongoing food services in a way that’s both fun and engaging.

“We’re putting the fun back in fundraising,” says volunteer Kelly Royea, who has curated a special ‘50s playlist to set the mood for the event. There will also be plenty of exciting prizes, local items for bidding, and free snacks, including hot dogs, cupcakes, and drinks.

How the Auction Works

If you’ve never participated in a quarter auction before, don’t worry – Market Manager Barb McPhee assures you’ll quickly get the hang of it. All you need to bring are your quarters (or loonies and toonies), and feel free to dress up for the retro theme!

“It’s a win-win-win,” McPhee says. “Everyone benefits — the NEHM, the vendors, and the participants.”

Here’s how the event breaks down:

• 12:00 p.m. – Vendor Walk: Arrive early for a chance to win a free CD player with the “Grease” soundtrack. Grab a card, visit each vendor, and get their signature to enter the draw. Local home businesses will showcase a variety of items for sale, and each will have three items available for bidding during the auction.

• 1:00 p.m. – Auction Begins: The auction entry fee is only $5, which includes one numbered paddle. You can buy additional paddles for $4 each if you’d like. There will be three rounds of bidding, with exciting prizes up for grabs.

  • Two rounds will feature quarter bids, where you contribute 25 cents for a chance to win. The proceeds will go back to the vendors.
  • One special round will feature $1 bids, with the funds going directly to support NEHM’s food services.

• Penny Table: Don’t miss out on the “penny table” silent auction. For $10, you can get 25 tickets, or $20 for 75 tickets, giving you multiple chances to win some great prizes.

• Door Prize: Simply attending the event gives you a shot at winning a portable DVD player with the movies “Grease” and “Grease 2.”

Join the Fun and Make a Difference

With plenty of opportunities to win prizes, shop local, and support a good cause, this is one event you don’t want to miss. As McPhee says, “I’ve got my Pink Ladies jacket ready to wear!”

So, gather your quarters, get dressed in your best ‘50s attire, and come support the North End Harvest Market. It’s a great way to have fun while making a real difference in the community.