The World Professional Chuckwagon Association (WPCA) and Encana Corporation together raised 925 pounds of non-perishable food and almost $3,400 in cash donations during the second annual Race Against Hunger at the Ponoka Stampede June 28 to July 3. As part of the total donations from the Race Against Hunger Program, Encana matched cash dollar-for-dollar and provided $2 for every pound of food collected during the Stampede.
After events in Grande Prairie, Drumheller and Ponoka the Race Against Hunger has raised over $27,000 in cash donations and almost five tonnes of non-perishable food.
“There was a strong show of support from the Ponoka community, an indication of the support and growing awareness for this year-round need in this community,” says Mike Forgo, vice-president of business services and stakeholder relations for Encana. “We want to thank the WPCA and all of the folks who made these donations. Hunger doesn’t take a vacation. But thanks to the support of this community, our Race Against Hunger program will go a long way in stocking local food banks this summer.”
Vying for bragging rights and the title of Food Driver of the Year, WPCA drivers also got in on the program action at a day-long event at Hamilton’s IGA, bagging food for customers and helping to sell food hampers for $10 or $15 each. Encana will crown the driver who raises the most donations later this summer.
“We want to thank everyone who made a donation in Ponoka, and remind folks that Encana’s natural gas truckwagon will be in Strathmore at the Strathmore Heritage Days for the next Race Against Hunger tour stop,” says Meghan McIvor, marketing manager for the WPCA. “We’re looking forward to more great results to help reduce hunger in the communities where we race.”
In 2010, the program raised $25,000 and more than 3,800 pounds of food for local food banks.