With the intent to bring awareness to homelessness and vulnerability in the Parksville and Qualicum Beach region, one tattoo shop is raising money to support Manna Homeless Society.
Wanderlust Tattoo Co. in Parksville has put together a large basket, with donations from 19 local businesses, that they will raffle off on July 1 with all proceeds going to the Manna Society.
The Manna Homeless Society is a charity in the Parksville Qualicum Beach area that helps homeless and low income individuals and families with housing, food, and support.
“We chose them last year too, they do a lot in the community for impoverished families and we know how hard it is when you’re down and out,” said Wanderlust co-owner Tee Tyson.
“They do a lot of great work within the community for families and I think drawing awareness to our homeless and impoverished issues, especially with our housing crisis, is super important.”
Since opening three years ago, Tyson said giving back to the community has always been important for the shop.
“We always do a bunch of community efforts throughout the year. For International Women’s Day we donated all our proceeds to the transition house and last year for September for Suicide Awareness Month we did a semicolon project where we donated all the money to the Vancouver Island Crisis Society,” Tyson said. “When we opened up our shop we really wanted to be a part of the community. Tattoo shops have a stigma about them and we really wanted to nip that in the bud and just be part of the community.”
Tickets for the “Local Love” raffle can be purchased at Wanderlust Tattoo shop, 180 McCarter St., or via E-transfer. Tickets are one for $5, three for $10 and 10 for $20.
The basket is worth more than $1,800. To view what businesses have donated and what type of prizes are included in the basket, visit www. wanderlusttattooco.com or check them out on Instagram at wanderlusttattooco.
For more information, email wanderlusttattooco@gmail.com.
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