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Food banks see huge donation at successful Mayor’s Hockey Challenge

Dec 20, 2021 | 4:05 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – City staff and community members battled on the ice this past Saturday in the Mayor’s Community Hockey Challenge.

Local food banks were the biggest beneficiary of the event raking in tons of food donations.

With approximately 615 pounds of food donations and gifts received plus almost $3,000.00 in financial contributions, the estimated total raised from the event is approximately $4,500.00.

Mayor/Goaltender, Blaine Hyggen, says the community came together through the event.

“Our community really showed up on Saturday and helped to make a difference for those in need this holiday season.”

“We had a lot of fun putting this event together and I want to thank everyone who was so generous with their time and contributions.”

Partners of the game included the Lethbridge Soup Kitchen, the Interfaith Food Bank, the Lethbridge Food Bank, the University of Lethbridge Students’ Union Food Bank, and the Lethbridge College Students’ Association Food Bank.

For the game itself, the city team narrowly won over the community team 10-9 with Lethbridge’s Mayor being on the winning team.

Interfaith Food Bank Society of Lethbridge Executive Director, Danielle McIntyre says the Lethbridge community continues to give generously to those in need.

“The spirit of Christmas was alive and well at the Mayor’s Hockey Challenge and we are so grateful for the support received from our community,” says McIntyre. “The generosity at this time of year always astounds us, but this year was yet another one like no other. It warms our hearts to see that people are thinking of others, even when we’re all having a tougher go with things this year.”

The game featured community partners from Lethbridge College, the University of Lethbridge, the Chamber of Commerce, BILD Lethbridge, and Alberta Health Services.

The City team saw volunteers from a range of departments including Lethbridge Police Service, Fire & EMS, City Clerks, Land Development, Lethbridge Transit, City Council, and Lethbridge 311.

“Among those volunteering their time for the event were many of our local media partners including Dustin Forbes from KiSS 107.7, Connor Gunn from Lethbridge News Now, and Sean Marks from CTV Lethbridge. Lending their vocal skills to providing in-game entertainment on the microphone was Jordan Karst from CJOC and Liam Nixon from Global Lethbridge.,” the release reads.

Hyggen says he plans to hold future and different community challenge events which are already being discussed for 2022.