This year when the Battlefords District Food and Resource Centre embarked on its creative campaign for their food drive, the Catholic parish of St. Vital in Battleford decided it would add its own brand of creativity and benevolence to the cause. To that end, the parish decided to collect donations of food in a “Fill ‘er up” campaign.
Together, St. Vital Catholic School, St. Vital parishioners and Rainbow Toyota decided to make it a joint effort. As a team, they would attempt to fill a car with food and donate it to the food bank.
Rainbow Toyota not only agreed to donate the vehicle to transport the food, but also got involved in the donating of food through their own employees’ efforts, for which St. Vital was hugely thankful.
Organizer David McQuaid says, “Originally, the idea was to put a car inside our church and have it full and ready to go to the food bank in early December. After careful measuring and other considerations, we found that none of the available vehicles would fit through our doors.”
Not only that, donations exceeded expectations.
“After being awestruck by the amount of donations from the groups involved, we also found that a car just wouldn't do the job,” says McQuaid. “So, on the appointed weekend, along came our Rainbow Toyota Tacoma, which was parked at the church’s entrance. Over the weekend masses, children gladly helped to fill the truck with the donated food items.”
Monday, the delivery was made to the food bank. Representing the parish for the delivery were two of St. Vital’s longest serving parish members, Rose Graw, 80 years in the parish, and Lloyd Beckman, 73 years in the parish, as well as one of the newest parish members, Sadie Fransoo, three months in the parish. Sadie’s mom Megan was also in attendance, supporting her daughter’s involvement. Brenda Metlewsky had the honour of driving the food-laden truck to the downtown North Battleford food bank location.
McQuaid says the parish of St. Vital is thankful to everyone involved in the inspiring effort to collect food for the food bank and wishes them all a very merry Christmas.
