Between cash and food donations, over $5,600 was collected for the Interfaith Food Bank during Vista Radio Lethbridge’s ‘Thanks for Giving’ event.
On Tuesday, October 1, Vista Radio teamed up with Sobeys to host the initiative at the Uplands location. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sobeys’ team members and the crew from Vista Radio’s 98.1 The Ranch, 94.1 CJOC and MyLethbridgeNow collected monetary and food donations to go toward the food bank.
People who stopped by the north Lethbridge Sobeys were able to purchase hampers for the food bank, as well as packs of Kraft Dinner and 10-kilogram bags of rice.
Uplands Sobeys owner Harry Fornefett says the event raised the equivalent of 225 $10 food bank hampers, 28 10-kilogram bags of rice, along with 13 12-packs of Kraft Dinner.
“For us at the food bank, it’s a relief to see how quickly the community came together to help us out and we’re really looking forward to the season of giving that’s upcoming knowing that the community is going to have our back,” remarks Danielle McIntyre, executive director of the Interfaith Food Bank.
“It was just a fantastic day,” adds Fornefett. “It made my team, and my wife and I feel so connected with the community. The place was just so full of energy.”
“Everybody contributed, the hosts from the radio stations just made everybody feel so engaged and my team took the ball and ran with it. It was just such an awesome day.”
McIntyre says that items at the food bank are “coming in and going out just as fast”, so events like ‘Thanks for Giving’ are vital. “This food and funds that were raised at the ‘Thanks for Giving’ campaign [will] ensure that there is food on the table for the families that we’re serving, which is our primary objective.”
Although Lethbridge has seen warmer weather conditions as of late, winter is around the corner, which is a time McIntyre says the food bank generally sees more need, “because those utility bills go up”.
“You’re stuck at home in the coziness of your house if you’ve got the money for the heat and so, we want to make sure that while people are going into these colder months, that we’re able to make sure that there is food on their tables,” she notes.
Fornefett says his Sobeys team has partnered with Interfaith many times to help the food bank’s clients, which McIntyre praises.
“It doesn’t seem to matter what campaign they are helping out with, the entire staff hops on board, and it really feels like a good time when you’re down there,” she says.
“The results were fantastic.,” Fornefett remarks, adding it was a “total team effort”.
“One lady heard you folks on the radio [98.1 The Ranch/94.1 CJOC] that day and she came down and she said, ‘I need to get a turkey for a family’, so that was just awesome.”
McIntyre adds the Interfaith Food Bank is always seeking donations. Those looking to drop off food items, or volunteer their time, can learn more at the food bank website.
