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What started as a small board game night has grown into one of Regina’s most unique and impactful fundraisers, raising more than $106,000 for people in need across the city.
Play With Your Food wrapped up its annual campaign at the University of Regina with a 24-hour board game event, but organizers say the real work happened long before the dice hit the table.
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“We’re making our community a better place, and we’re having fun,” said Chelsea Steenvock, chair of Play With Your Food.
“The need in the community is strong, and the more people we have come out and support, really, the sky’s the limit.”
The campaign, which began in 2013, has evolved from a single marathon gaming event into a year-long effort, with teams hosting their own fundraising initiatives before coming together for the final celebration.
“So technically, we started in 2013, and now we’ve morphed into micro fundraising events throughout the year,” Steenvock said. “This 24-hour event is more of a celebration of the volunteers who put in all that hard work.”
This year, 33 teams comprising about 150 participants organized events ranging from themed gatherings to hands-on experiences, all aimed at raising money for Carmichael Outreach.
Volunteers and participants gather for a group photo during the Play With Your Food fundraiser, which raised over $106,000 for Carmichael Outreach. (Jacob Bamhour / 980 CJME)
For founder Matt Robertson, the idea came from something much simpler: a growing board game community that he believed could do more.
“We had a community that we never knew we had,” Robertson said. “And we thought, what can we do with this? Can we shepherd this community into making a difference?”
The answer, it turned out, was yes.
Robertson said the first year’s goal was modest, just $5,000. The event ended up raising more than double that. More than a decade later, the numbers have continued to climb.
“It is amazing how the community has come together,” he said. “We can have fun and make a difference at the same time.”
The cause itself is rooted in something deeply personal for Robertson, a tribute to his late mother, who believed in feeding those in need.
“That’s why the name of the event,” he said. “It was about trying to address food insecurity and harnessing the power of play.”
Players take part in a First World War-style aerial strategy board game during the Play With Your Food fundraiser at the University of Regina. (Jacob Bamhour/980 CJME)
That impact is being felt directly at Carmichael Outreach, where the funds are already being put to use.
“It’s really nice to be able to give that money directly to people who need it,” said Janis Miller, director of development at Carmichael Outreach.
“It’s not getting locked up in administrative tasks; we are giving it back to the people directly as much as we can.”
Miller said the money supports more than 15 programs and services, including daily meals and housing support for people struggling to get by.
“On average, we see about 3,500 meals being served in a month,” she said. “So when you look at the amount fundraised, that is a lot of meals for a lot of people who need them in the community.”
She added that the fundraiser has become one of the organization’s most important yearly contributors, especially as demand continues to grow.
“Without them, we wouldn’t be able to reach the amount of people we do,” Miller said. “It is so important to have fundraisers like this year after year.”
While the dollars make a difference, participants say the event is just as much about connection. Board games, whether simple or complex, are the common thread bringing people together.
“Board games mimic life,” Steenvock said. “Everything that happens in life, you can find in a board game.”
That sense of connection is what keeps people coming back.
Ian Cantello (left) and other participants take part in a long-running campaign-style board game during the Play With Your Food fundraiser at the University of Regina. (Jacob Bamhour/980 CJME)
Ian Cantello, who has spent eight years playing the same campaign in the game Frosthaven with his team, said the event gives people a rare chance to slow down and spend time together.
“It’s actually probably this event that sticks with us more than anything,” Cantello said when asked what the most memorable moment was over those eight years.
“We’re busy, we’re adults, and we don’t often get the opportunity to play, but here we can do that and support a good cause.”
For others, it’s also a chance to blend passion with purpose.
Colter Hahn poses with one of his custom-designed board games during the Play With Your Food fundraiser in Regina. (Jacob Bamhour/980 CJME)
Colter Hahn, a local board game designer, has even created his own games, using events like this to raise money while sharing his love of the hobby.
“Amazing,” Hahn said when asked what it’s like to be part of the fundraiser. “I have two kids of my own now, and I want to show them how important it is to pay it forward.”
At its core, organizers said that’s what Play With Your Food is all about: turning something simple into something meaningful.
From casual games of Monopoly to complex, hours-long strategy battles, every roll of the dice is tied to something bigger.
And as the campaign continues to grow, Steenvock said they’re just getting started.
“We’re always looking for growth,” she said. “The more people we have, the more we can do.”
Donations remain open until March 31, with organizers already preparing to launch the next campaign on June 1.
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