News: Help tackle hunger at Esks game

Published in the August 27 2010 issue of The Edmonton Sun. News


Help tackle hunger at Esks game

The Edmonton Eskimos will be tackling more than just the Saskatchewan Roughriders at this Saturday’s game.

The team has teamed up with Purolator and the Edmonton Food Bank for the eighth annual Purolator Tackle Hunger food drive, collecting donations to help needy kids as they head back to school.

SCHOOL LUNCH PRODUCTS

“We’re looking to build up school lunch products as we head into the fall, things like juice boxes and snack foods that are helpful for low-income people to have for the kids for lunches,” said Marjorie Bencz, executive director of the Edmonton Food Bank.

“Fall is a very stressful time for families in need, so this event is really critical to us.”

At a media event Thursday, Eskimos quarterback Ricky Ray stopped by the food bank to show support for Tackle Hunger.

“It’s a great way to help support your community,” Ray said.

“There’s been some tough times and a lot of people are in need. The more donations we can get, the more people we can help out.”

Donations will be taken at all gates but football fans who donate can also get their picture taken with the Grey Cup at Gate 10 at Commonwealth Stadium.

Fans who help tackle hunger will also be entered to win one of Ray’s jerseys.

Tackle Hunger is one of the food bank’s largest fall food drives.

Bencz said about 40% of the food bank’s clients are school-aged children.

“This is an important event for us as children go back to school,” she said.

Every donation goes directly to the Edmonton Food Bank’s coffers.

‘TO GIVE BACK’

“The community does so much for us,” Ray said. “This is a chance for us to give back to it.”

Since 2003, Tackle Hunger has run each year in cities across Canada and has collected more than three million pounds of food.

This year, Edmonton organizers hope to collect at least 80,000 pounds of food.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

If you're Edmonton area, subscribe to my newsletter for hyperlocal recommendations on what to do, eat, and things to know this week!
If you're Edmonton area, subscribe to my FREE newsletter for hyperlocal recommendations on what to do, eat, things to know this week, and more!