Bonnyville RCMP Hosting Hockey Game to Help Local Food Bank

After hearing that the Food Bank in Bonnyville has been aiding record numbers of people over the past year, the Bonnyville RCMP Detachment came up with a plan to help raise donations for the Food Bank, while having fun and connecting with the community’s youth. The Detachment will be collecting donations at Odie’s Challenge Hockey Game; which will be played out February 9th at the Centennial Centre.

Pauline Mawer, facilitator of the community Food Bank at Bonnyville Friendship Centre, says when times are tough the community really comes together. “During Christmas, a lot of people give,” says Mawer there was probably 100,000 lbs of food donated during December. “Our storage was full, but as soon as we restock the shelves, by Friday they had to be restocked again. It’s been incredibly busy, almost overwhelming,” Mawer says that December was the busiest month for the Food Bank.”

From April to December there were 1108 people who used the Food Bank. In December, although the Food Bank was only open 15 days during the month, there was 177 people who used the Food Bank in Bonnyville -Food Bank Use Stats Bonnyville Friendship Centre

Typically, the Food Bank will see a drop in donations immediately after the holidays and without a continuous cycle of food coming in as it goes out, by March supplies dwindle. “By March, we have to start buying supplies and looking for ways to get food into the Food Bank.” Odie’s Challenge Hockey Game comes at a perfect time to help maintain supplies, explains Mawer.

The Friendship Centre won’t turn anyone away, all community members are welcome to use the Food Bank. The Friendship would like to thank Cenovus for their recent $1,600 donation of meat from Bob’s Custom Cuts. Mawer notes that Bob’s Custom Cuts often helps the Food Bank by providing meat for the Food Bank at a reduced cost.

The Bonnyville RCMP Detachment is playing the fun match between local high school students on February 9th at 12:00 pm. Community members who are attending Odie’s Challenge Cup are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food bank item(s) to donation in lue of admission to the game.

Items Needed at the Food Bank 

• Hamburger & Tuna Helper
• “Sidekicks”
• Canned ready pasta
• Cookies and Crackers
• Boxed Potatoes
• Coffee and Tea
• Juice Boxes / Juice Cartons
• Peanut free granola Bars
• Canned vegetables
• Canned Fruit & Fruit Cups
• Pasta
• Brown beans
• Canned Meat, such as chicken, ham & flakes of turkey
• Macaroni and cheese
• Flour
• Chick Peas, Lentils, Black, Kidney beans
• Toilet Paper
• Boxed or instant cereal
• Condiments
• Syrup
• Canned Tomatoes
• Pasta Sauce
• Boxed soup
• Ready soup
• Sugar
• Instant Noodles
• Peanut Butter and Jam
• Stove Top Stuffing
• Rice