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 Caf茅, was reading about the shortage of Sriracha hot sauce last week, specifically the name brand Huy Fong, 鈥渨hich is apparently considered the best,鈥� he said, when an idea formed.
He checked the caf茅鈥檚 fridge and found a large-sized bottle of the sauce he had purchased for a dish the caf茅 no longer serves.
Dunlop posted a photo of the sauce to social media with a caption joking 鈥淚 know what I have. No lowball offers,鈥� 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 caf茅 also donates its bottles and cans to the rescue for return.
鈥淛ust my sense of humour,鈥� said Dunlop. 鈥淥ver the next few days, there were dozens of replies which made it interesting trying to keep up with people鈥檚 bids.鈥�
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.
鈥淚 felt horrible but then I thought, let鈥檚 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 鈥榞ame-used鈥� NHL hockey stick only grew in value,鈥� 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.
鈥淲hen 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鈥檛 been able to get in a while,鈥� said Bickle. 鈥淢y husband and I have been strong supporters of the SPCA before and I love animals.鈥�
鈥淓ven if it鈥檚 the last bottle I ever get, it鈥檒l be a good story to go with it,鈥� she laughed.
Canoe Beach Caf茅 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鈥檇 like to auction off for charity, Canoe Beach Caf茅 would happily facilitate the sale.
This is the Dunlops鈥� 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 鈥榥ot only take care of our little piece of paradise but those within it.鈥� The pair also give free ice cream to expecting mothers on 鈥楳oms to Be Mondays鈥� and to first responders on Fridays.
The couple recently announced their business is up for sale or partnership.
鈥淭o our amazing customers鈥on鈥檛 worry. We are not going anywhere until we know you will be in good hands,鈥� reads the Canoe Beach Caf茅 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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