VANCOUVER: On Friday, December 7, the whole community is once again invited to kick-off the holiday season at CBC Vancouver’s annual Open House & Food Bank Day at 700 Hamilton Street. From 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., guests can enjoy a variety of activities including newsroom tours, live radio broadcasts featuring musical guests and meet-and-greets with local and national CBC hosts and reporters, including the new CBC Vancouver News team.

Last year, British Columbians donated a record-breaking $802,049. To date, the Open House & Food Bank Day has raised more than $8 million for the Food Banks of BC.

“We are proud to open our doors at CBC Vancouver each and every year to help fundraise for the Food Banks of BC,” says Johnny Michel, senior managing director, CBC British Columbia and Alberta. “Even more importantly, this is a great way for citizens to see what their public broadcaster is all about – how news is made, how our reporters and hosts are dedicated to telling their stories, and how the community can come together for a great and deserving cause.”

Guests have the chance to meet CBC Radio One hosts Stephen Quinn, Gloria Macarenko, Michelle Eliot and Sheryl MacKay, as well as the new CBC Vancouver News team – Mike Killeen, Anita Bathe, Johanna Wagstaffe, Dan Burritt, and Lien Yeung. Ian Hanomansing and Andrew Chang of The National and Erica Johnson of Go Public will also be in attendance.

While food bank volunteers will be accepting cash donations in person and over the phone on December 7, people can also give online right now atcbc.ca/openhouse.

The schedule for CBC/Radio-Canada’s Open House & Food Bank Day on December 7 at 700 Hamilton Street includes:

Live Radio One broadcasts – 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• The Early Edition with Stephen Quinn featuring musical guests Katherine Penfold and Jill Barber from 6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

• BC Today with Michelle Eliot & North by Northwest with Sheryl MacKay featuring musical guests Company B Jazz Band, Vancouver Bach Children’s Chorus, and Margaret Gallagher from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

• On The Coast with Gloria Macarenko featuring musical guests Chor Leoni and Gavin Youngash Trio featuring Dawn Pemberton and NaRai from 3 p.m. to 6p.m.

Newsroom tours – 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

• Get a behind-the-scenes look at the CBC Vancouver newsroom, television and radio studios.

• Meet your favourite CBC journalists, including the new CBC Vancouver News team: Mike Killeen, Anita Bathe, Johanna Wagstaffe, Dan Burritt, and Lien Yeung as well as Andrew Chang and Ian Hanomansing of The National and Erica Johnson of Go Public.

CBC kids in the Atrium – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Grab a hug or a high-five from Daniel Tiger and Chirp from CBC Kids.

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