Skip to content

Gym curves hunger

CHARLES TWEED/Ponoka News

The women of Curves Ponoka are proving they have big healthy hearts.

The curves community has been collecting food at the gym for its annual food drive campaign. Over the last six years Ponoka has collected about 8,000 pounds of food for the local food bank.

“We do it every year and members bring in groceries and we waive our sign up fee if people bring something in,” said Teresa Abt. “We usually do the drive in March but this year we did it in April and we just want to do what we can and help the community.”

Another interesting feature is the friendly rivalry that has developed between Curves in Ponoka and Lacombe. Each fitness centre wants to collect more food than the other with the big winner being the food bank.

“We have a friendly competition with them all the time. It’s one of those things that as small communities we don’t want to be a hidden business in the community and for us it’s about making a difference within the community,” said Stephanie Rankin, manager of Curves Lacombe. “Every year we sort of challenge, not only ourselves but we extend it out to other Curves and see if they want to go head to head because it is all going to a good cause and it has positive benefits and results. It’s the food bank that comes out on top.”

To date Ponoka and Lacombe are separated by about 100 pounds of food ranging from fresh fruits and vegetables to canned items. If you would like to make a donation you can drop it off at either Curves location and as a result you will receive one-week free membership and Curves will waive your sign-up fee should you decide to join.