Cochranites who missed the recent ‘Ton of Pennies’ campaign for Right to Play need not worry.
There are two local organizations grateful for donations of pennies and other pocket change that can be spared.
The Eagle’s Nest Family Shelter and the Nakoda Food Bank are two non-profit, high demand Morley organizations that are on a mission: to jointly raise $10,000 to go toward some long-overdue upgrades to both facilities, as well as operating costs.
Collection jugs are at a number of Cochrane area businesses, including the Cochrane Eagle, from now until January 2013.
“We will put our share toward transport, gas and food purchases . . . we’d also like to do some renovations,” said Belinda Simeon, acting manager of the Nakoda Food Bank.
“We are in need of a lot of building renovations — we need to replace the windows, floors, our roof,” said Nora Lee Rear, director of the Eagles’ Nest Women’s Shelter; in 2011, the shelter assisted 120 women and more than 400 children.
“This campaign is something we can do together because we’re both non-profits,” continued Rear. “Whenever there’s extra food, the food bank always calls us, or we call them if we’re running short.”
The Nakoda Food Bank currently supplies some 75 hampers a day in Morley alone, let alone the Eden Valley location; one of the biggest challenges, however, is getting food to the third location in Big Horn (100 km west of Rocky Mountain House).
“The biggest challenge we have is getting people fed in Big Horn,” said Simeon, adding that she is extremely grateful to the many Nation and non-Nation volunteers who roll up their sleeves each week, also the many sponsors.
Adele Rabbitt sits on the Nakoda Food Bank board, as well as the Mini Thni Foundation board (main source of food bank funding).
“The positive side is that this food bank is nation-run, which makes me proud because I’m a real advocate for that,” said Rabbitt, agreeing with Simeon that next in line in a serious facility expansion, allowing for more fridge and freezer space for fresh produce and frozen meats.
Both non-profits encourage food, personal hygiene, clothing and linen donations for the Christmas season.
