Castlegar food bank saved - school supplies needed soon
By Kyra Hoggan
Castlegar’s Community Harvest Food Bank is no longer in jeopardy after a massive campaign brought in staggering donations of money and food.
Food bank director Deb McIntosh said the past three weeks have seen donations of roughly $20,000 in cash and gift cards, with another $4,000 worth of food.
“This should bring us up to Christmas,” McIntosh said, adding Saturday’s old-fashioned spaghetti dinner and ice cream social was a smashing success.
“We sold out of spaghetti, and people kept coming, even in the pouring rain,” she said, estimating attendance at about 300 people. “We even got people from Trail and Nelson – and one of the really neat things was that out-of-towners not only gave to us; they matched their donations with gifts to food banks in their own communities.”
The pie-eating contest drew eight competitors – city councillors Deb McIntosh, Russ Hearne and Kevin Chernoff; Mountain FM’s Chris Wahl and Shaun Johnson, food bank volunteer Teri Zielinski, and police commander Laurel Mathew.
Chris Wahl took the title from former champion Deb McIntosh, who is now demanding a rematch (check back with The Source for more details).
Trowelex, Andrew Sheret and Splashes and Nealy O’Brien’s Pub provided cash prizes for the winner to donate to the food bank, adding another almost-$200 to the kitty.
The remainder of the pies, donated by M&M Meat Shops, were then used for an impromptu food fight, to the delight of onlookers.
The winner of the Brick’s electronic prize donated $1,000 but requested his name not be published.
“He’s our anonymous angel,” McIntosh said.
McIntosh said locals have always been very generous in stepping up to support their food bank.
“What pleasantly surprised me was how instantaneously everyone got on board to help, even during the summer time, when lots of people are out of town or vacationing,” she said.
McIntosh also stressed that, while food hampers are taken care of for some time to come, that doesn’t mean people should stop donating.
“There’s always need – a family that can’t pay the utility bill, or someone who can’t take a good job because he doesn’t have the proper work boots,” she said. “And of course, our big push for school supplies is just starting.
“When you’re taking your child out to pick up school supplies, maybe pick up a little something extra for another child in your community,” she said.
For more information or to donate, contact 250-365-6440 or 250-608-1047.
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