The Edmonton Elks helped out their friends at Edmonton’s Food Bank on Thursday, as the CFL team prepares for the annual Purolator Tackle Hunger game when the Elks host the Montreal Alouettes at The Brick Field at Commonwealth Stadium on Oct. 1 at 2 p.m.
Elks players, staff, and members of cheer team visited the Food Bank’s main warehouse at 11508 120 St., where they spent the afternoon building food hampers.
“It’s a treat for us to see this,” said Tamisan Bencz-Knight, Manager of Strategic Relationships & Partnerships for the Food Bank.
“Our volunteers love it, and it really brings back that whole community aspect of the work that we’re doing here at Edmonton’s Food Bank:”
Fans attending the Purolator Tackle Hunger game on Oct. 1 are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items or monetary donations. Each year since the 1980s, the Green and Gold has held a drive supporting of Edmonton’s Food Bank.
“I grew up seeing people that are less fortunate, so to be able to have a small role in giving back and being able to help the next person get a meal really means a lot to me,” Elks wide receiver Lucky Jackson said.
“I know that when things are scarce and times are hard, it’s tough to make ends meet so I appreciate being able to help with something as simple as a meal and enjoy being able to give back.”
With rising inflation and the cost of food, Edmonton’s Food Bank has seen their demand grow more than 50% over the last year. Edmonton’s Food Bank reaches more than 25,000 people each month.
“You don’t have to come in with a truckload of food. You don’t have to come in with a wad of cash or the biggest cheque … Every little bit counts,” Bencz-Knight said.
“The donations come from different places and different people, all knowing that we have to feed people, and that’s the bottom line: Can by can, dollar by dollar, friend by friend, so we can keep our doors open.”