Last week’s challenge was last week’s challenge. When T8N100Men told the community it would match donations to the St. Albert Food Bank up to $30,000 – making a grand total of $60,000 – they thought it would take until the end of April to get there.
It took only a few days.
“The response was overwhelming. I think in the first 24 hours, we got $10,000, and we ended up with $30k. We’re really pleased with that,” enthused group co-founder John Farlinger. “When we checked with the food bank, they were just blown away. They couldn't believe it.”
By Monday, the collection was close to $40,000 with some “cheques still in the mail and probably some online donations that hadn't been counted,” he added, all of which gets added on top of T8N100Men’s matching funds of $30k.
Now they have set their sights on a higher goal, one that they feel is still very reachable before April 30.
“We talked last night and said, ‘We're at $70k. What do we do?’ We threw around lots of different ideas. We decided no guts no glory. Let's go for the hundred.”
The charitable social club has indeed ramped up their fund drive's goal to $100,000.
"The T8N100Men challenge is an absolutely amazing initiative. They are helping us to help all of the folks who are struggling through the issues they are facing due to COVID and the economic downturn. The issues that our families are facing are, of course, related to job losses and the inability to try to get another job at the moment. The uncertainty weighs heavy on them: when will this be over ... when will things get back to 'normal' again?" remarked food bank executive director Suzan Krecsy.
"The way that T8N100Men and our incredible community of St. Albert has wrapped their arms around our families is remarkable."
People can make their donations by sending a cheque made out to ‘St. Albert Community Village and Food Bank Society’and note ‘T8N100Men’ on the Memo line. Cheques can be mailed to ‘St. Albert Food Bank, 30-50 Bellerose Drive, St. Albert, AB T8N 3L5’.
Donations can also be made by credit card. Go to the food bank’s website: stalbertfoodbankandcommunityvillage.com and click on the ‘Donate now’ button for the CanadaHelps link. Make sure to include ‘T8N100Men’ in the notes. Charitable tax receipts will be issued for donations of $20 or more.
