Community partnerships can take many forms — sometimes even a burger can make a meaningful difference.
For the month of February, a special Burger of the Month collaboration between Cilantro and Chive and Olds College of Agriculture & Technology helped raise both awareness and $932 in support for student mental health, with proceeds directed to the College’s Student Mental Health Fund. The initiative featured a guest burger created in partnership with Olds College’s Dean of the School of Trades & Skills, Dennis Beaudoin, highlighting the power of community connections and the importance of supporting student well-being.
The Burger of the Month charity initiative at Cilantro and Chive began in 2017 when restaurant co-owner Rieley Kay visited a Lacombe kindergarten class for National Literacy Day, where students designed their own dream burgers after hearing the children’s book Hamburger Heaven. Inspired by their creativity, Kay brought one of the ideas to life on the restaurant’s menu for a month, donating $2 from each burger sold to the class’s chosen cause, which the students helped deliver to their local food bank.
“The experience made such an impact that we knew we needed to keep it going,” co-owner Kim Kay explained. “We’re now in our 110th month.”
Today, the program invites community leaders to serve as “guest chefs,” helping design a burger while selecting a charity that reflects something meaningful to them.
Rieley Kay first connected with Beaudoin through the Olds College Hospitality and Tourism Industry Advisory Committee and eventually approached Beaudoin to be their guest chef.
“We select our guest chefs by looking at people who are doing good things — people who inspire us and help make our communities great places to live,” Kay said. “Dennis is genuine and caring, and he always has students’ best interests at heart.”
For Beaudoin, participating in the initiative was an easy decision.
“Rieley has been and continues to be a huge supporter of the College,” Beaudoin said. “He’s also the chair of our Hospitality program industry advisory committee — and the funds go to a great cause.”
As part of the initiative, Beaudoin chose to direct proceeds toward the Olds College Student Mental Health Fund, an area that he says is deeply personal.
“I used to coach hockey, and I’ve had former players struggle with their mental health,” he shared. “We need everyone to know that they are not alone.”
Mental health remains an important focus for post-secondary institutions, where students often face academic pressures, personal challenges and life transitions. At Olds College, support extends across the entire campus community — with services like wellness checks — helping ensure students feel connected, supported and able to thrive both personally and academically.
Education and awareness are also key priorities.
The Olds College Health and Wellness team promotes training opportunities such as SafeTALK, Mental Health First Aid and The Working Mind, equipping students and staff with the knowledge and confidence to recognize signs of mental health concerns and respond with care and understanding.
Initiatives like the Burger of the Month campaign play an important role in strengthening these efforts. Community-driven fundraising helps sustain vital mental health programming and ensures continued access to supports for students who need them. Together, these efforts are helping build a campus culture where mental health is openly discussed, actively supported and prioritized every day.
“I hope it raises awareness that we’re all in this together and that people shouldn’t be afraid to get help,” Beaudoin said. “We’ve got you.”
The partnership reflects the strong relationship between the College and local businesses — connections that benefit students and the broader community.
“When we rally around one another, it creates a sense of belonging,” Beaudoin said.
For Cilantro and Chive, initiatives like the Burger of the Month are about more than just food.
“We’ve always wanted to create a place of connection,” Kay said. “The program allows us to highlight outstanding community members while supporting local organizations doing important work.”
Customers have embraced the initiative, with many returning each month to try the latest burger and contribute to a new cause.
“It’s an easy way for people to enjoy a meal and give back,” Kay said.
For Beaudoin, the experience was both meaningful and memorable.
“Thanks to Cilantro and Chive for allowing me to participate in the Burger of the Month,” he said. “It was fantastic — I think I was there every weekend to taste it again.”
Through partnerships like this, Olds College continues to work alongside community leaders and businesses to support student success — proving that when communities come together, even a single burger can help make a difference.