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Yorkton Exhibition launches grain drive

Dec 14, 2020 | 5:13 PM

The Yorkton Exhibition Association is looking for ways to recoup money lost this year when events were cancelled because of the pandemic.

The lack of large groups activities had a significant impact on its bottom line, with revenues down more than 95 per cent.

In an effort to raise some much-needed funds, Yorkton Exhibition director Brett Callin said the group has launched a grain drive.

He said they don’t have a specific fundraising goal.

“We’ll take what we can get,” Callin said. “We’ve had people supporting us for years through different events and spending money, but we can’t do that right now. We’re just asking for whatever people are willing to give. Just let us come out and have a five-minute visit while the auger is running.”

Callin said a lot of people that support their activities are grain and cattle farmers.

“It’s easy to open the bottom of the bin for a few minutes and visit with people but in a different manner,” he said.

The focus of this fundraiser is grains and oilseed. They are not asking for livestock donations.

“We had a bred heifer sale this fall. We do have plans for the new year to host another auction. We are looking at options in the new year but as of right now we would like to keep it to just canola and wheat just to make things a little bit easier for the trucking side of things.”

Callin said they remain hopeful they will be able to host regular events next year, but it’s impossible to say right now if that will happen.

“We can only do what we are allowed to do. We are still planning on holding events but obviously we won’t if we can’t have large crowds.”

Anyone interested in being a part of the grain drive can contact the Yorkton Exhibition office at (306) 783-4800.

Cash donations can be made by e-transfer, over the phone, or online through their website at yorktonexhibition.com.

alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF