Members of the U7 and U9 Wetaskawin minor hockey teams are embarking on a first time food drive over the next 30 days.
What began as a team building exercise for the U9 Queens hockey team has developed into a cross-team competition where the winners have the chance to win both a trophy with their names on it as well as one hour of ice time.
Thea Mihalus, whose daughter plays for the Queens, is spearheading the competition. Mihalus said the teams are looking forward to giving back to those in need at a time where the local food bank’s usage has increased exponentially.
“This idea started as a team building activity for a single team to give back to the community which then evolved into having U7 & U9 teams engage in a friendly competition to see which team can raise the most food donations,” said Mihalus. “The winning team will win the Hunger Relief Hat Trick Trophy along with bragging rights.”
The idea has since expanded to include all divisions of minor hockey who choose to opt in. Participants must have opted in by Nov. 15 with donations closing on Dec. 16. The trophy will go to the team who has collected the greatest weight in food. Cash donations will be counted as one pound per five dollars.
“The goal of this idea is team building as well as to provide for members of our community who may be struggling and to show our kids that giving back matters,” said Mihalus. “No matter which team wins, the real winner is the food bank.”
Mihalus reiterated the importance of being able to show the players what it means to help an association in their own community as well as individuals within it that may be struggling to put food on their table.
Items currently in high demand with the local food bank include cans of soup, canned vegetable, canned fruit as well as paste and pasta sauce. Other commonly donated items include cereal, rice, flour, sugar, juice, canned tuna, oatmeal, pancake mix, beans and ramen noodles. The food bank also provides perishable items such as onions, apples, potatoes, carrots, milk, eggs, bread and ground meat. These items are always in high demand.
If an organization wishes to donate perishable food items they must be purchased no earlier thank Dec. 15 prior to the weigh in on Dec. 16.
For more information on the event or to donate to the Hunger Relief Hat Trick Trophy contact Thea Mihalus via email at thea.mihalus@EastLink.ca.