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Meridian Source - August 24,2023

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Thursday, August 24, 2023

VOLUME 6 I ISSUE 09

MERIDIANSOURCE.CA

Local food So much more than bank hungers a ball tournament for donations GEOFF LEE STAFF WRITER

JEANNETTE BENOIT-LEIPERT

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STAFF WRITER

.................................. What began as an act of generosity has caused a ripple effect of kindness that spans over two decades, and has touched hundreds, if not thousands. The 22nd Lori Craven Memorial Ball Tournament, held last weekend at the Driven Energy Ball Park, has an amazing story behind it. “I approached Lori when she was sick. I asked her if we could do this (tournament) and she agreed to it and then we were going to send her to Seattle (for cancer treatment), and Lori never made it to Seattle,” said event organizer Gerry Maier. “She forwarded the money onto, I think, one or two sick friends–$5,100, but you know that was a lot of money at that time. So, we thought let’s keep this thing going, and that’s exactly what

Jeannette Benoit-Leipert Meridian Source

Hundreds gathered for the balloon release at the 22nd Annual Lori Craven Memorial Ball Tournament on Sunday, Aug. 20. This year the balloons were made of a biodegradable material.

we did.” This year’s tournament brought in $125,000 to help those struggling with healthrelated issues in and around the Border City. A perfect example of how the tournament

has helped, and why it continues to grow, is the story of the Hann family. “Sophia was a recipient in 2017. She was born critically ill, with a primary immunodeficiency disorder,” said

IT S ALMOST I

BARK TO SCHOOL 4010 - 50 Avenue #2, Lloydminster (780) 808-6363

ily member is just as Your four legged fam y at the spa! excited to get their da ir Book in with us for the uts! irc Ha ol ho -Sc -to RK BA

Jessie Hann, Sophia’s mom. Brittni Jezowski reached out to see if they could use some help through the Lori Craven memorial fund. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

These tough economic times are putting the Salvation Army food bank in Lloydminster in a perpetual state of need with a revolving door. “The food comes in one door and goes out the other,” said Major Bond Jennings who heads the non-profit charity. Jennings says in the past year more than 300 new families and individuals have come to the food bank for assistance. “In the past year and a half, the increase that we have seen, it’s crazy. We are still seeing upwards of five maybe even 10 new people every week,” he said. “Sometimes it’s a one time thing for a person or a family and it might be the only time we see them through the year. Other times, it’s desperate times and they will be back several times.” The return to school

in September will also spike the demand for the organization’s Kids Kits program in partnership with the Lloydminster Public School Division. Each week, the Salvation Army provides a little bag of groceries for kids, including canned pasta and canned meat, Kraft Dinner, oatmeal, juice boxes, fruit cups, granola bars, fresh fruit and things like that. “We don’t know what the numbers are for the coming year, but last year we were doing roughly 150 to 155 bags per week,” explained Jennings. When Jennings and his wife moved to Lloydminster in 2019, they were basically filling 45 to 50 bags a year for the first couple of years. “Last year was the first year we started with a number and finished with the same number. Before it was up and down numbers,” said Jennings. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2


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