Fundraiser for food bank raises over $6000

Tim Brody - Editor

More than $6000 was raised for the Sioux Lookout Food Bank’s building fund at a special fundraising event this past Saturday at Fresh Market Foods.
A fundraising BBQ, as well as Jail and Bail event, raised a combined total of $6,083.35.
Approximately six grocery carts of food were also collected through a food drive which was part of the event. A $50 gift card was also received, which was used to purchase pasta sauce for the food bank.
Six community members donated their time to help out with the fundraiser. All six were “charged” with fictitious “crimes”. 
People were able to pay for the “accused” people’s bail or pay to keep them in “jail” longer. 
Sioux Lookout OPP officers also got in on the fun, picking up the “accused” persons around town and bringing them to Fresh Market Foods during the event where they were placed into a mock “jail cell”.
Donating their time to the fundraiser as “wanted” persons were Sioux Lookout Mayor Doug Lawrance, local hairstylist Cherie Coulombe, Sioux Lookout Bombers Head Coach Carson Johnstone, Librarian Nancy McCord, New Life Assembly Youth Pastor Steve Harder, and Hub Collective Roast Master Jesse Hochstetler. 
Lawrance, who was “accused” of “Aggravated Advocacy”, said it was a delight to be able to help with the fundraiser.
McCord, who was “accused” of being a “Boring Driver”, shared, “I don’t think I deserve it! Everybody who knows me knows I’m not boring.”
She said of donating her time to the fundraiser, “I think it’s a fun way to raise money for an important cause.” 
Harder, who was “accused” of “Impersonating Drew Carey as host of the Price is Right” at fun events New Life Assembly has put on, commented, “This is so fun. The Sioux Lookout Food Bank has been a great addition to our community. I know it’s been in the community for a long time but just getting it back on the map, helping people is what it’s about and being able to contribute to their building fund is incredible. Whatever we can do to support that, as a church, as a community, we love that.” 
Johnstone, who was “accused” of “Poaching Walleye” said it was a great event and he was happy to play a part in supporting the food bank.
Coulombe, who was “accused” of “Premeditated Hugging” said of taking part in the event, “We had so much fun! With everyone that was trying to get us out of jail and people were trying to keep us in jail, it was just wonderful to do this with the community.”
She said of raising funds for the food bank, “It’s for the community and I just love to be a part of that.” 
Hochstetler, who was “accused” of “Smuggling coffee beans from Greenland”, said of taking part in the fundraiser, “I think it’s great. I think anything we can do to raise awareness and bring in some money for the work that the food bank is doing is a great thing to be a part of.” 
Sioux Lookout Food Bank Manager Amanda Landgraff said it was a wonderful fundraiser, “We were so encouraged to have so many people come out and it was really neat to even see kids bringing their piggy bank money, plastic bags with coins in them, it was so cute… it was really neat to see so many people involved.”
Landgraff thanked Fresh Market Foods for donating the food and drinks for the BBQ, promoting the event, as well as donating the space in the parking lot for the event, the volunteer “suspects” and members of the OPP who assisted with the Jail and Bail fundraiser, the volunteers who helped put on the event, and everyone who made a donation.
“We’re so thankful that Sioux Lookout is such a supportive community in so many ways. We really feel the support of the community for the food bank, just helping others in our community that need support. Whenever we’ve done fundraisers and things like this the support just pours in and we’re very thankful,” she said.
The food bank plans to hold future fundraising BBQs throughout the summer.
The Sioux Lookout Food Bank continues to deliver food hampers three days a week, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
People in need of a food hamper can call or text 807-738-6896.