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Peter Schmucker, GM at Fraserway RV Lacombe delivered a cheque to the Lacombe Food Bank earlier this month. He is pictured here with Mellie Snow (right) and Hellene Boissinot. (Supplied)
a pleasant surprise

Lacombe Food Bank receives ‘enormous’ donation from local business

Oct 19, 2020 | 3:17 PM

A very large and surprise donation was dropped off to the Lacombe Food Bank earlier this month.

Through a national initiative to give back to the 13 communities where the company has locations, Fraserway RV presented those who run the local food bank with a cheque for $20,000.

The other twelve locations received the same amount to give to local charities.

“They loved it, and it’s probably one of the biggest cheques they’ve seen in a while,” says Peter Schmucker, general manager at Fraserway RV in Lacombe. “They were in tears, and were pretty stoked and excited about it.”

He adds that it’s important for the company to give back to the community because of how well the community has supported them.

Mellie Snow, with the Seventh-Day Adventist and community-run food bank, says the money will go a long way toward getting the agency and its clients through the holiday season.

“It didn’t hit me until I was writing the receipt for it; I realized it was $20,000, not $200. It’s enormous,” says Snow. “Over the summer, people were generous with donations, but it’s kind of tapered off with everything settled in. We’re doing okay, but this will really help us.”

Snow notes that the food bank can always use stocking up of the regular items, namely non-perishables which include macaroni, beans, soup, rice and baking staples such as sugar, flour and salt.

The food bank also runs a thrift store out of its upstairs, and frequently gives out warm clothing to those in need locally. They also regularly send shipments overseas to communities in Ghana and Uganda through a company in Edmonton.

For more information about helping or receiving help from the Lacombe Food Bank, call 403-782-6777.

Red Deer-Lacombe MP Blaine Calkins recognizes Fraserway RV’s fundraising efforts in the House of Commons.