Sometimes it takes the effort of a team of community-minded people to pull off a successful fundraiser. On October 8, the local Helping Hands foodbank partnered with Your Grocery People (YGP) in Niverville for just such a collaboration.
Helping Hands was onsite at YGP from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. to welcome food donations of all kinds. John Schmitke, owner of YGP, was there to match donations, item for item.
“It’s pretty simple,” says Schmitke. “If you buy a box of Kraft dinner, then I’ll donate a box of Kraft dinner.”
In typical philanthropic fashion, Schmitke he even agreed to match donations that people brought from home.
“Helping Hands is a great organization,” Schmitke says. “They do really good work and it’s important that we support our community.”
He says Randy Belmore was the event’s true instigator. Belmore is an RCMP constable assigned to Niverville’s soon-to-open detachment.
“I heard about this food drive and I said, ‘I love this community. I’m just going to give out hotdogs to whoever donates food,’” says Belmore.
Over the course of Tuesday’s lunch hour, at his own expense, Belmore barbecued hotdogs for all who walked up.
Belmore adds that his interest in helping with the fundraiser was first piqued by Golden West, a Canadian radio and digital media company that has been promoting similar initiatives in Manitoba.
Dave Anthony, host of the Country 107.7 Morning Show, was also onsite and says his company’s support of local foodbank fundraisers is a response to the growing need they see in many communities throughout the southeast.
“We just get to come and be a part of it and share the experience,” says Anthony. “We talk to people and bring the business community together with organizations like the foodbank.”
Niverville’s fundraiser is one of three that Golden West will be participating in this week. The others will be held in La Broquerie and Steinbach.
Completing the collaborative circle is Larissa Sandulak, director of Helping Hands Niverville.
“Throughout the year, Golden West contacts me and ask me what kinds of needs we have and if we’d be open to them having drives on our behalf,” says Sandulak. “So of course we say yes. We are very grateful for their support.”
She says it’s been a busy summer at Helping Hands, serving upwards of 100 to 120 families on a monthly basis. These families live in Niverville and surrounding communities like New Bothwell, Ste. Agathe, and Otterburne.
The October 8 food drive came at a perfect time for Helping Hands volunteers who are ready to restock their shelves in anticipation of Thanksgiving and Christmas.
For those who missed the October 8 fundraiser, a bin is set up in the foyer of YGP every day. Sandulak says her team is grateful for every tin and box that is dropped into that bin.
Financial donations can also be sent by e-transfer to nivervillehelpinghands@gmail.com.
She reminds everyone to consider supporting a family in need this upcoming holiday season. Like last year, Helping Hands will be looking for families who are interested in sponsoring families.
Once registered, supporting families will be provided with details on the family they are sponsoring in order to supply gifts for the children and provide a cash donation towards a Christmas meal.
