A Paintearth County resident is issuing a challenge to those throughout central Alberta in support of local food-banks.
The resident, identified as Jim at his request, said he recently received a cheque from Microsoft as part of a Canadian class-action lawsuit involving the software giant.
His portion of the multi-million dollar settlement was $26, an amount that, in the grand scheme of things, won’t make a huge impact on his life but could make a huge impact on those helping others.
Jim decided to put his cheque of unexpected money towards the Castor Food Bank to help the community at a time when the donations have typically dropped off.
“Sue (Goodkey, the Castor Food Bank manager) mentioned this time of year the food-banks are in need,” said Jim.
“Parents are in need, people aren’t normally in a giving mood.”
Part of the issue, according to Goodkey, is that at this time of year people are focused on wrapping up summer holidays and getting kids ready to head back to school.
Jim is challenging everyone in the region who receives these types of small cheques, ones that won’t make a huge impact on someone’s bottom line, to donate them to food-banks or service clubs that make a difference in the lives of less fortunate.
According to Goodkey, while food donations do typically slow during the summer months in Castor, financial gifts have remained somewhat consistent which allows the food bank to shop for needed items.
“Right now we are concentrated on getting stuff for school snacks,” said Goodkey.
Items most needed for kids lunches are juice boxes, cereals, cookies and other pre-packaged snack-type foods.
The Castor Food Bank is also gearing up for Christmas.
Goodkey says that the Christmas hampers start being assembled late in November, and they are supported by the community and the schools during that month.
“There is good works all over the community,” said Goodkey.
“This is a very giving community.”