Historically during Parent-Teacher Conferences in schools across the county, students wait nervously in the halls outside their classroom for their parents and teachers to have that talk about their progress and behaviour … but not too worry for Rainbow Creek Elementary (RCE) families because any bad news can be quickly forgotten with some shortbread cookies and a little Christmas shopping.
That’s because the dedicated school council members at the school have found a unique way of giving to those in need by hosting their 4th annual Marketplace and Bake sale. The Market is set up in the school during the school years first set of interviews between parents and teachers and hosts several small local home based businesses as well as a yummy table filled with baked goods.
This is a great opportunity to get some Christmas shopping done in a quite venue where not only do you support local businesses but when you buy the fresh baking – you are also supporting the Chestermere Regional Food Bank.
Over $1,500 was raised during the fundraising event. 100% of proceeds from the yummy treats went toward the food bank, as well the vendors that were included also made a donation to the charity.
“The vendors here are parents, friends and family of the school,” explains Jessica Lacasse, Vice Chair of Executive School Council at RCE. “Last year we raised over $600.00 for the food bank and this year we had a goal to raise $1,000.”
Items for sale included cooking spices, homemade soaps and lotions, jewelry, handcrafted items like knitted baby clothes and specialty woodworking items and a whole lot more.
Tara Law, a member of school council and the bake sale coordinator was proud of the amount of parents that stepped forward to provide home baked goods for the event.
“This year we had close to 40 bakers contribute to our fundraiser and we are excited about the help we will be able to offer the food bank,” said Law who adds “I would like to thank Lori Skehar, she was my right hand gal on the bake sale and we could not have done it without her help.”
Besides the marketplace, students at RCE have been collecting food items for the food bank during the entire month of November.
According to their website, the Chestermere Regional Food Bank Foundation has been up and running since September 2007. The Foundation serves not only the Town of Chestermere but encompasses the area from the Calgary City limits west to Boundary Road east; and from Delacour Road (Country Hills Blvd.) north to 50th Avenue (Twp. 240) south. They have recently been averaging over 500 people annually requesting assistance. Further information can be obtained from Community Services at 403-207-7060.
