A recent virtual fundraiser by the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group helped to raise $23,000 for the Prince Albert Food Bank. (file photo/paNOW Staff)

By Joan Olson

Virtual Fundraiser

JPBG virtual fundraiser helps keep Food Bank shelves full

Jan 8, 2021 | 2:00 PM

The Jim Pattison Broadcast Group (JPBG) partnered with the Prince Albert Food Bank to raise almost $23,000 to help those in need.

The annual fundraiser was a great success despite the current COVID-19 challenges. Program director for JPBG Danny Kid said they adapted the event so it could take place virtually this year.

“Sadly, getting together isn’t an option so all month long, at various times, we made sure to talk about the importance of the Food Bank on air and help potential donors find the ways they can help out,” Kid said.

The success of the virtual format was significant given that the Food Bank has been unable to do its regular fundraisers and food drives since last April, according to executive director Kim Scruby.

“We haven’t closed a single day because of the pandemic,” Scruby said. “Initially our hamper numbers went down but then we became involved with a lot of other organizations doing direct feeding programs with schools and that type of thing so we have been busier than normal, but in a different way.”

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Scruby said the community has stepped up in a big way. Normally, the food bank has a three-day supply of food, but its shelves have been better stocked as of late. He said the organization has tried to reciprocate that kindness by buying locally instead of using a bulk supplier from outside of the community.

“It’s because of the local support we get… so we try to keep as much money in the community as we can,” Scruby said.

Despite the success of the virtual fundraiser with JPBG, Scruby said there will always be a challenge to keep the shelves at the food bank full. He said non-perishable items are always welcome so they can continue to distribute food hampers to families and children in the community.

— Editor’s Note: paNOW is part of the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.

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Joan.Olson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertNOW