Stuff a Limo Campaign fuels up to Support local Food Banks

Stuff a Limo Campaign fuels up to Support local Food Banks

Michelle Pinon

News Advertiser Jason Kowal wears many hats. The Mundare resident is a town councillor, grain farmer, family man and businessman. Now he is using his latest venture, Kowal Limo Service, to collect donations for the Lamont County Food Bank and the Vegreville Food Bank this holiday season.

Kowal will pick up donations at homes and workplaces until December 31. “I’m looking to attract individuals to get out there and donate if they haven’t donated before or to donate a little bit more to give back in the Christmas season. I chose the food bank because I don’t think anyone should go hungry, not just through the Christmas season, but throughout the year. Canada is still a great country. We’re a first world county and we hear a lot about famine across the world and all that, but it’s a great opportunity for us to take care of our own country and province here.”

Kowal said he has already reached out people he and his wife Shannon know directly, but he’s also wanting to connect with other people and businesses in the Mundare and Vegreville area. “I’m looking to be that transportation hub for people and businesses who have collected nonperishable grocery items and monetary donations.” He encourages neighbours to get together and collect donations, and he will arrange a day and time to pick up those donations.

Jason Kowal was busy collecting food bank donations during the recent Christmas Extravaganza in Mundare. Proceeds from his ‘Stuff A Limo’ campaign will be donated to the Lamont County Food Bank and the Vegreville Food Bank.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

Kowal said it is tough times, and while he doesn’t personally know of anyone who uses the services of the food bank, he knows there is a definite need for donations. “I don’t know everybody’s situation, but for some people their work situation has changed. With our government talking about lay-offs and rolling back wages, it’s a time when everybody has to look at kind of pinching pennies…”

“I have no idea how big it’s going to get or anything like that because it’s the first year; but even if we’re able to get one or two extra people donating, that would be great.”

Kowal said the food bank is a “great organization” and that it seems like there is a need throughout our helps fill a void in Alberta and throughout the country. He believes any amount of donations, food and otherwise, will definitely help the local food banks, and is greatly appreciated.

Joanna Karczmarek, Co-ordinator of the Vegreville Food Bank, said the demand for the services of the food bank is year round, and there are always items that need replenishing. Some of the items that are recommended include: canned meats, tuna and salmon, canned fruit, beans, and milk, skim milk powder, bagged flour, peanut butter and jam.

Between January 1 and December 9, 2019 the Vegreville Food Bank served 303 households which represent 758 individuals. The majority of users, 40 per cent, are between 0-18 years of age.

“Unfortunately, hunger doesn’t go away,” stated Colette McBride, board chair of the Lamont County Food Bank. She reported that a lot of the recent recipients are single people, and pointed out that while the cost of groceries, rent and utilities continue to rise, people still remain on a fixed income.

According to McBride, the Lamont County Food Bank distributes 35 hampers per month, however, this month they already have 29. For the most part, the food bank numbers are in line with the figures that were recently published in the Food Banks Canada 2019 Hunger Report, noted McBride. For example, of the rural food banks, there were 150,732 total visits. The number of total visits (child) were 49,620. The total number of meals and snacks equalled 332,131. The report also included a breakdown of percentages according to age, primary source of income, household type, and housing type.

As stated in the report: “food bank use remains at unacceptably high levels” and that only long-term policy solutions can address the root causes of hunger in Canada. On December 22 volunteers will be sorting and distributing the Christmas hampers. McBride said anyone interested in participating can drop by the Lamont Recreation Centre’s hall after 12 noon.