COLD LAKE - Cold Lake's favourite homegrown turkey, Ruffles, is back this holiday season for the fifth annual Great Cold Lake Turkey Race.
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, Ruffles, the mascot, will be racing to collect donations to purchase 400 turkeys for local families in need.
The campaign typically runs for about six weeks each year and concludes on Dec.13, with the goal of bringing a festive meal to many in the community, working alongside the Cold Lake Christmas hamper initiative.
“Ruffles symbolizes the very product we are trying to collect to enhance a special family meal for families that need a little support,” said Kim Schmidtz, manager of Cold Lake and District FCSS.
Through the Great Cold Lake Turkey Race, Ruffles plays a pivotal role in not only raising awareness but also helping bring food to those in need, making the holidays a little brighter for families in the community.
Over the past five years, Ruffles has become an essential part of the campaign. Initially launched in 2020 as a temporary substitute for the popular Fill-a-Bus initiative, the Turkey Race has grown significantly.
Since its inception, it has raised over $40,000, according to information from the City of Cold Lake.
“We’ve been incredibly lucky that our mascot Ruffles enjoys going out to liaise with schools and businesses to raise awareness of the need to support families accessing the Cold Lake Christmas Hamper initiative,” said Schmidtz.
The campaign also works to raise awareness about the growing issue of food security in the community. Through Ruffles' engaging and approachable presence, people are more open to discussing the topic.
Schmidtz hopes the campaign sparks conversations about food security, creating awareness about how many families rely on the food bank due to the increasing difficulty of providing nutritious meals.
Many donors are motivated by a desire to make a positive impact. “People often tell us that they want another family to have a nice meal just like they plan to with their own family,” Schmidtz said.
In addition to monetary donations, volunteers are also important for the campaign's success.
“Contributing your time to sort and pack hampers is equally as important as supporting the purchase of groceries. If you have time to give, I highly encourage it, as it is incredibly rewarding and meaningful, especially if you know anyone who has ever received a hamper.”
Schmidtz added, “The sad reality is that the greatest number of individuals who suffer from food insecurity are children. All food drive initiatives are important to our community, so that we can try and ease the worry of where a family’s next meal will come from.”
Donations are being accepted at Cold Lake and District FCSS, with e-transfer options available.
