Hamilton’s IGA presented the Ponoka Food Bank with 4,500 lbs of canned food and a cheque for $3,000 March 19 thanks to donations from the community that were matched by IGA.
The donations collected were part of the grocery store’s annual holiday season food drive, however, this year owner Jim Hamilton decided the store would also match all donations.
“Because of the pandemic a lot of people are suffering more … a lot of people are hurting,” said Hamilton.
“People gave what they can and I’m happy to be able to help the food bank.”
Hamilton’s IGA sold 235 $10 hampers and 180 $5 hampers, equaling 2,250 lbs of food, which the store matched with a donation of 2,250 lbs of food.
Customers contributed $266 from $2 donations and The Brick came forward with a $1,000 donation, bringing the total of cash donations from the community to $1,266.
Sobey’s, the supply depot for Hamilton’s IGA, threw in another $404.69, bringing the total to $1,670.69. Honouring their commitment to match community donations, Hamilton’s IGA upped their donation to $1,329.31 to come to the round total of $3,000.