WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

WM Calls On Fans To Help Feed The Hungry

Published on February 19, 2010 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Brandon MB, February 17, 2010 - Waste Management of Canada (WM) together with program partners the Western Hockey League (WHL) and Samaritan House Ministries are planning a food drive on February 23 when the Wheat Kings face off against the Vancouver Giants at Keystone Centre.

Fans attending Tuesday night's game are being encouraged to show their support for those less fortunate in the community by bringing a non-perishable food item or cash donation to the game.

"This is the very time of year these services are needed most," says WM's Diane Kossman, Senior Communications Manager for Western Canada. "Reserves are low after the holiday season but demand remains high and as more Canadians turn to food banks in the wake of the economic recession, donations continue to decline. We're challenging Wheat Kings fans to reverse this trend and support their local food bank."

WM will be holding food drives in 11 WHL cities, including Brandon over the next few months and hopes to empower hockey fans to raise a total of 10,000 pounds of non-perishable food items and $5,000 in cash donations for local food banks. After only two events, almost 4,000 pounds of food and more than $3,000 in cash have been collected, thanks to the generosity of hockey fans. Wheat Kings fans can deliver their contributions to volunteers who will be located at signed tables on the main concourse level before the game and during intermissions.

"With food bank use up 15% over last year and demand remaining high, this event comes at a perfect time," says Samaritan House Executive Director Marla Somersall. "We are proud to live in a community that continues to support people who are hungry. We are so thankful to Waste Management for pulling this together. Go Wheat Kings!"

Everyone has a role to play in reducing hunger. According to a recent study conducted by Food Banks Canada, almost 795,000 people turned to food banks in March 2009 - an 18% increase over March of the previous year. While the Province of Manitoba wasn't the hardest hit by the effects of the recession, food bank use here kept pace with the national average. In this province in March 2009, of the 47,925 people who needed help from food banks, 49% were children.

A proud sponsor of the WHL since 2006, WM has been working to put together a program that will make a positive impact on the communities where our employees live, work and raise their families. Hunger affects everyone across the social spectrum including children, families and individuals, the working and unemployed and those unable to work, those with incomes, pensions or disability benefits who can't make ends meet are all at risk. At WM we are dedicated to making our communities better, cleaner and safer. A program like this one helps us further that goal.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for the Western Hockey League, our Member Clubs and WHL fans to lend a helping hand to communities throughout western Canada," says WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. "Our partner Waste Management has developed a terrific campaign to reach out to the community to help restock our local food banks, because no one should go hungry."

On the ice, the Wheat Kings have two games this weekend before the Giants hit town on Tuesday. Friday night, Brandon hosts Jordan Eberle and the Regina Pats and on Saturday, the Wheat Kings will be travelling all the way to Saskatoon to meet the Blades in a battle for top spot in the WHL's Eastern Conference.

Entering weekend play, both clubs are tied atop the Conference with 86 points each.

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Western Hockey League Stories from February 19, 2010


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