What a weekend it was! The Raw Carrot HCM officially opened its doors (and soup pots) in Winnipeg, and the response from our community has been nothing short of incredible.
A Ribbon Cutting with Heart
On Thursday, November 20th, we gathered at St. Peter’s Anglican Church in River Heights for our grand opening ceremony. The room was filled with supporters, partners, funders, staff, and most importantly, The Raw Carrot HCM employees and their families.
As we cut the ribbon on Winnipeg’s newest social enterprise, it wasn’t just about opening a business. It was about opening doors to opportunity, dignity, and belonging for people who have been systematically shut out of meaningful employment.
Invited guests sampled our gourmet soups, interacted with employees, and celebrated what this moment represents: a tangible step toward a more inclusive Winnipeg where everyone’s contributions are valued and needed.
Weekend at The Forks: Introducing Winnipeg to The Raw Carrot HCM
From Friday, November 21st through Sunday, November 23rd, we set up shop at The Forks Market to introduce Winnipeg to our small-batch gourmet soups. And wow, did Winnipeg show up!
Over three incredible days, we:
Sold hundreds of servings of soup in flavours like our Signature Carrot, Potato Bacon, Hearty Lentil and Barley, and Veggie Mania
Connected with hundreds of community members who shared our excitement about employment with purpose
Heard story after story from people who understand why this work matters
Welcomed live coverage from Classic 107.1 on Friday and 99.1 FMCHVN Radio on Sunday, broadcasting our mission across the city
Our employees worked like champions all weekend long, proudly serving soup, sharing their stories, and showing Winnipeg what inclusive employment looks like in action.
What Makes The Raw Carrot HCM Different?
As our Executive Director Shellie Power shared with media during the launch: “It’s not profit-driven, it’s to fill the social need that’s there rather than the profit need. What this is, is sustainable part-time work, also just the understanding, caring workplace that’s willing to make adjustments and accommodations for specific needs at specific times.”
For our employees, The Raw Carrot HCM means:
Stability and routine – Regular, predictable work in a supportive environment
Dignity and purpose – The chance to contribute, not just receive
Income and independence – Earning wages that allow for haircuts, glasses, new shoes, and other necessities that weren’t in the budget before
Community connection – Being part of something bigger, being noticed, known, and missed when they’re not there
Growing confidence – Building skills, experience, and résumés
As employee Kieran Schellenberg shared with CityNews: “It’s great to have the stability of a thing that you’re doing regularly and being able to interact with community, and be employed, which is nice.”
And as he shared with the Winnipeg Free Press: “It’s difficult for people with disabilities to find a job. It’s great to get out, have work and be productive,” adding that having a job also helps with self-esteem.
A Partnership That Makes It All Possible
The Raw Carrot HCM is a social franchise operated under Hope Centre Ministries in partnership with The Raw Carrot, Co-founded by Rebecca Sherbino in Paris, Ontario in 2014.
What started as one woman’s response to seeing a friend with a cognitive disability who wanted to work but couldn’t find employment has grown into a movement. Today, The Raw Carrot employs 46 people across six locations in southern Ontario, and now, for the first time outside that province, right here in Winnipeg.
As Rebecca shared at our launch: “The primary driver is to do something tangible for people, and give people the dignity of work.”
None of this would be possible without St. Peter’s Anglican Church, who generously provides our commercial kitchen space. As church administrator Joan Crabtree said: “There was no hesitation when they asked, it’s a good fit for us. It’s a way for us to serve God and the world.”
Why This Work Matters
At Hope Centre Ministries, we believe that every person is created in the image of God with gifts that the community desperately needs. For too long, people with disabilities have been viewed primarily as recipients of care rather than as givers and contributors.
The Raw Carrot HCM flips that picture upside down.
As Shellie Power shared: “So many people with disabilities tell me their main prayer is to find a job. A job also gives them an opportunity to give back. Too often people with disabilities are seen as recipients, people to be cared for. But they have gifts that are needed in the community. Work gives them a chance to contribute.”
When people with disabilities who have gifts and want to work are systematically excluded from the workforce, they get trapped in cycles of poverty and dependence on social assistance. The system provides handouts, but what people long for is a hand up, the chance to participate, contribute, and earn.
We believe that advocacy for work is advocacy for justice.
The Raw Carrot HCM in the News
Our launch weekend captured the attention of media across Winnipeg, and we’re thrilled to share our story with the wider community. Here’s what they’re saying:
CBC Manitoba
CBC featured The Raw Carrot HCM’s grand opening, sharing the story of how we’re bringing dignified employment to Winnipeg.
CityNews Winnipeg
Eddie Huband covered our launch, highlighting our mission and speaking with both Shellie Power and employee Kieran Schellenberg about what makes The Raw Carrot HCM special.
Read the full CityNews article
Goldenwest Radio
Classic 107. 1 broadcast live from The Forks on Friday, November 21st and CHVN broadcast live from The Forks on Sunday, November 23rd, inviting listeners to come taste the soup and support employment with purpose.
Winnipeg Free Press
John Longhurst wrote a beautiful feature titled “Champs serve up gourmet soups and inspiration,” diving deep into the stories of our employees, the partnership with The Raw Carrot in Ontario, and the heart behind this social enterprise.
Kitchen manager Cara Klippenstein summed it up perfectly when she said of our staff: “They all work like champs.”
Read the full Winnipeg Free Press article
What’s Next?
Our launch weekend at The Forks was just the beginning! We’re excited to bring The Raw Carrot HCM soups to more locations across Winnipeg through:
Pop-up markets and events throughout the city
Retail partnerships with local vendors (announcements coming soon!)
Special sales and community events
How You Can Support The Raw Carrot HCM
Every bowl of soup you buy directly supports the employees who make it. Here’s how you can be part of this movement:
Buy our soup at upcoming markets and events
Share our story with friends, family, and your networks
Follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content
Join our mailing list to be the first to know about new soup varieties, sale locations and retail partners, and special events,
Consider becoming a corporate partner or purchasing soup for your next meeting or event (orders should be made 4-6 weeks in advance to ensure availability).
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and Stories
Sign up to be the first to know about upcoming markets, new handcrafted products, special sales, and behind-the-scenes stories. Every opportunity helps support paid employment and builds a more inclusive Winnipeg.
Thank You, Winnipeg!
To everyone who came out to The Forks, who sampled soup, who cheered us on, who shared our posts, and who believes in this mission—thank you. Your support means the world to our team.
To our employees: you worked like champs all weekend, and we are so proud of you. This is just the beginning of your story with The Raw Carrot HCM, and we can’t wait to see what’s ahead.
To our partners at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, The Raw Carrot in Paris, Ontario, the Winnipeg Foundation, Quad D Farms, and everyone who made this dream a reality—we couldn’t have done this without you.
Winnipeg is stronger because of your contributions.
To God be the glory.
