Craven Memorial continues helping families

FROM PAGE 1

“It was incredibly helpful at that point because I had to be off work to take care of Sophia and all of her extra needs and it helped with trips to the city, and extra expenses for medication … everything that comes with having a critically ill baby,” said Hann.

Sophia is now seven years old and Hann said their entire family couldn’t be more thankful.

“We’ve been involved with the Lori Craven Memorial Tournament ever since (2017). Every year our family does a family fundraiser

… to give back.”

This year they sold frozen homemade pizzas with proceeds going back to the charity.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t the only time the family needed a helping hand.

“This past year I was diagnosed with cancer, and so I was a recipient for the 2022 Lori Craven Memorial Tournament. And we’re both here,” Hann exclaimed, referring to herself and her daughter.

“We’re both very fortunate to have an entire community support us through our wild journey that we’ve had to endure.”

Lori’s mother, Donna Weston was at the diamonds for the balloon release and said she’s happy with the turnout.

“I am so thrilled about the young people that are coming forth … and they’re not just interested in the games. They’re saying, ‘I want to help somebody’,” said Weston.

Maier said the volunteers are ‘just amazing.’

“They don’t know how busy they’re going to be. We had some new bartenders this year. They said it’s ok, we’ve worked bars before … they just offered to work both days, all day,” said Maier.

Afterwards Maier said they came up to her and admitted they never imagined it would be quite as busy as it was, but that there were always people there to support them.

“We’d love to say thank you to the community and to all of our volunteers, all of our ball players, everybody that donated,” said Maier.

“People that came to watch or buy a burger—that’s what makes our tournament, and it continues on because they are supporters year after year.”

He says what’s driving demand for food is everything from job loss, prevailing tough economic times and the cost of groceries and living expenses.

“Two years ago, things were a lot cheaper than what they are now. It seems like every day you go to the store, the basic things you need to buy increases from one week to the next,” said Jennings.

“It’s hard for any and everybody. Everybody’s finding it tough. I’m finding it tough.”

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 3.3. per cent year over year in July, following a 2.8 per cent increase in June.

While prices for groceries remained elevated, they grew at a slower pace year over year, rising 8.5 per cent in July after a 9.1 per cent increase in June.

Electricity prices rose significantly in Alberta, increasing by 127.8 per cent in July on a yearover-year basis.

Jennings calculates the food bank needs to spend upwards of $600,000 to $700,000 a year to buy all the food that it puts out on a regular basis.

He says basically they rely “on the good folks of Lloydminster” to donate food and cash to buy food including the high demand seasonal Christmas campaign.

“People come in with donations on a regular basis for us—businesses in town. I do get a few funding grants from organizations in Lloydminster,” added Jennings.

In addition, he says Walmart and Real

Canadian Superstore do fundraising campaigns every year.

“The Co-op, Sobeys and Safeway do fundraising at Christmas and they have done great the last number of years,” added Jennings.

“So all of these organizations I am buying food from (for the food bank) when I go to buy groceries.”

In the meantime, Jennings has a list of pri - ority food supplies to replenish their shelves.

“Pasta sauces and pasta is always a good thing, rice, canned soup, chunky soups, beans, canned vegetables—they are all good items. Cereals for families and children are also things that are needed,” explained Bond.

“Cash is good because we can buy a fair amount with cash.”