The sixth annual 40 Cans for Lent Food for Families program sponsored by the Airdrie Knights of Columbus Council 8045 was recently completed.
This year, the knights partnered with St. Paul’s Parish and local Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD) schools in Airdrie to raise funds and food items for the Airdrie Food Bank.
Knights, parishioners, students, and staff were requested to bring a can of food for the 40 days of Lent. Monetary donations were accepted as well. Anyone donating was asked to give only what they were able to give.
This year’s drive was the most successful to date with food items and monetary donations totalling $28,000.
At St. Paul’s, food items and monetary donations were collected before each weekend Mass for the six weeks of Lent. Donations could be made directly to the food bank online, too.
Schools used various means to collect food items and donations. They were able to donate several pounds of food and monetary donations.
St. Veronica School staff members donated money through a program called Jeans for Jesus and Grade 5 students raised funds for the food bank. All other students brought in canned goods and other food items.
St. Martin de Porres High School staff donated funds and through a bottle drive, groups of students made a donation to the food bank. They also contributed food items.
Good Shepherd School collected a substantial amount of food items and donated the dollars they raised to the food bank .
Michelle Davies, Principal at Our Lady Queen of Peace School, said the collaboration was exceptional this year.
“Throughout the Lenten season, Our Lady Queen of Peace collaborated with Airdrie Catholic schools, the Knights of Columbus, and the Airdrie Food Bank on an exceptional service endeavour known as Change for Change,” she said. “The project's purpose was to respond to the call for service and demonstrate agape love, an unselfish type of love, in the community during this meaningful time.
“The school effectively raised an outstanding amount of dollars and collected an impressive amount pounds of food donations. To achieve this, several enjoyable and engaging activities were arranged, such as Caps for Cans, where students could wear hats if they donated food, and Toonies for Toques, allowing students to wear toques all day for a toonie donation.”
Davies added the student council at Our Lady Queen of Peace played a leadership role by producing and selling candy-gram bags, with all profits supporting the collection.
"Both our Diverse Learning classroom and students preparing for the sacrament of confirmation through the Extraordinary Sacramental Preparation Program contributed significantly," she noted. "This faith-filled experience gave students and staff the chance to deepen their faith through active community service. It emphasized the power of cooperation and unity in making a positive impact on those who need it most.”
Members of the Airdrie Council 8045 Knights of Columbus along with volunteers from the food bank helped students load their donations on the food bank truck for delivery to the Airdrie Food Bank.
Lori McRichie, the executive director of the Airdrie Food Bank, said her organization was extremely thankful for the continued support shown by the 40 Cans of Lent Food drive.
“We are extremely thankful to St Paul’s Catholic Church, the local Knights of Columbus, and the Airdrie Catholic Schools that participate in the annual 40 Cans for Lent Food for Families and fundraiser for the Airdrie Food Bank,” she said. “This faith community exemplifies what it means to be Neighbour Helping Neighbours through this significant yearly event. This year’s drive brought in close to $28,000 worth of food and funds to support our programs. This comes at a time when the need for our services is higher than it has ever been. Through 40 Cans for Lent, we are able to continue to meet the need for food support in our community.
From each individual, child, and family we have helped together I say thank you!”
