Save The Raspberry Patch!

For those of you who are not familiar with me, my name is Manley Shaver, and I grew up and attended school in Ponoka. After High School I lived in Calgary, Los Angeles and Victoria, pursuing my passion for food and focusing on pastry work. In 2012, I returned to Ponoka and worked as the Bakery Manager at Hamilton’s IGA, (now Hammy’s Foods) for 10 years. I joined Sharon at the Raspberry patch in 2022. I had found my food home at last! I attempted, briefly, a small bespoke tart business The Tart Guy, and while the community support was amazing, the timing wasn’t right. I have been at the Patch ever since, preparing delicious food I am proud to serve.

I’m reaching out to you now to ask you to help me Save the Patch and keep this amazing little space open in our town. The Raspberry Patch was started in 2010 by Sharon Weibel. Using locally raised/produced ingredients, she began serving homestyle meals, fresh house-made soups, baked goods and home-style preserves and pickles. Chances are you’ve been to a wedding, or a hockey dinner or an event that Sharon has catered. The Patch has made your birthday cakes and catered memorial luncheons for many in the community. Sharon supports fundraisers in the community, has donated her space for community groups, and instructed her staff that no one goes hungry even if they can’t pay.

Then came the whole mandate thing, which hammered food service, and shuttered so many small businesses. Sharon put her personal resources behind her passion and pivoted. The Meals on Wheels service became a way to make sure that people in our community had the opportunity to have a healthy meal delivered to them. For many of our senior clients, our delivery driver is a friendly face in a lonely world, and we have developed deep friendships through this service.

When the mandates finally ended, some necessary infrastructure work closed our street for 2 years. Thankfully, the food is great, and our customers don’t give up, and we are seeing a recovery, slow and steady. The time has come now for Sharon to retire and take care of herself/enjoy her grand daughter. She has been trying to sell for some time.

Banks make it difficult to purchase commercial buildings, or get loans for restaurants. The building and business have gone unsold, until now. An investor from Calgary has proposed to purchase the site. They will close the Patch, fire the staff, cease the Meals on wheels program and open yet another Franchise. They are pushing for a fast possession.

I am attempting to raise the funds to purchase the building, the business, fixtures, and the inventory. I am committed to maintaining and expanding the meal delivery program and maintaining the level of excellence that our customers have come to expect. I want to continue supporting the community, make your birthday cakes and your celebration meals.

Please help me in whatever way you can. Donating, sharing the link and talking about this with your friends and co-workers.

I am trying to raise $300,000.00 to purchase the building, business and inventory of The Raspberry Patch Custom Catering and Café in Ponoka, Alberta, Canada. Approximately $15-17 000.00 dollars are allocated to cover the associated go fund me fees. The remaining funds will purchase the building, business, the fixtures and inventory, new signage and minor building upgrades.

if you would prefer to donate cash or e-transfer, you can do so at the store. these funds will be held by a third party until disbursement.

Thank you for your donations, your encouragement and for sharing this campaign.