What happens when you get a group of ladies together that both enjoy to golf and also want to give back to their community? You get the Lakeside Green Ladies Golf Association donating to the Chestermere Regional Food Bank.
On Monday September 28, 2015, Rhonda Pelletier represented the Lakeside Green Ladies Golf Association and presented a cheque to the Chestermere Regional Food Bank. This generous donation of $550.00 was a much needed surprise for the food bank as they head into their busiest season helping those in need feed themselves and their families.
Pelletier said, “At the beginning of the golf season, the Ladies League committee met to plan for the year. As we were brainstorming for our season events, I suggested that we “give back to the community”, and suggested the Chestermere Food Bank as the recipient. Throughout our golf season, once a week – every Tuesday, the ladies could either contribute with food donations, (which we had enough food contributions that would have filled two shopping carts). These food items, I either dropped off at the food bank or one of the drop off locations within the City of Chestermere.; or if preferred, monetary donations could be provided. The monetary donations I kept throughout the season, and then when we had our year end wind up, with our 50/50 draw – one lady won; and the other half of the 50/50 was donated to the Food Bank”.
The Chestermere Regional Food Bank board members have said that funds like these are important all year round, but as the holiday season fast approaches, funds and food donations are in an even higher demand. Generous donations like this help sustain the Chestermere Regional Food Bank and the wide variety of products they try and keep on their shelves.
“We extend our sincere thanks to the Ladies Golf League for their generous donation. A portion of these funds have already been used for our Snack Attack program with local schools, the remainder will hopefully carry the program through until Christmas. While we didn’t see a large increase in usage shortly after the flood in July, usage did double in August from the same time last year although population was only up 7%. We saw eight new families in September; reasons for the increase are not only due to the flood, but some of our residents have also suffered recent job loss or health issues”, said Chestermere Regional Food Bank President Mardi Oel.
Oel continued, “Without the support of our local businesses and groups like the Ladies Golf Club, we would be struggling to assist our neighbors in getting through some rough times and for that we are truly grateful. With the help of the many residents, service clubs, social groups and businesses donating as well as holding fundraisers on our behalf, we are confident we can assist all Chestermere and area residents in their time of need. We have been drawn for a casino on December 19 and 20 this year, which we depend on to provide fresh dairy, meat, fruit & vegetables to clients for roughly two years. As casinos are awarded on a three year cycle, it’s always a concern as to how long that funding will last. Our most needed items at this time are crackers, juice boxes, pudding & fruit cups, taco dinner kits, hamburger helper, pancake mix, syrup, jam, canned mushrooms & tomatoes. For more information or to volunteer, contact us at crfb@shaw.ca or join us on Monday, October 19 for our annual Meet & Greet; 7:30 pm at #105, 100 Rainbow Road. Thank you, Chestermere!”
If you are a member or leader of a group, organization or business in Chestermere and area and want to organize a fundraiser, food drive or promotion/special for your business, you can contact the amazing team of the food bank. You too can help ‘Feed the Need’.
