The Rotary Club of Grande Prairie released another round of COVID-19 Rapid Relief Fund cheques to area food banks from the sale of Dream Home tickets.

For the month of April, 50% of Rotary Dream Home ticket sales are going to the fund.

The cheques sent today:

  • Grande Prairie: $41,850
  • Beaverlodge: $1,420
  • Fairview: $910
  • Peace River: $710
  • Sexsmith: $2,340
  • Wembley: $1,040   

The above amounts are from sales of April 6 – 12, totaling $47,650. This is in addition to the cheques of over $31,000 send last Monday.

Raffle Manager Kevin Hilgers says the total amounts announced next week will be even larger than the April 13 cheques. 

“Momentum is growing. The COVID-19 Rapid Relief Fund has really captured the imagination of people. It’s given them an opportunity to support the community and dream a little. We are hearing from these Food Banks that the need is now. So we are moving the proceeds very quickly.”

New Horizon Co-op has now come on board as a sponsor of the rapid relief fund and are hoping others join in as well. 

Marketing Team Leader Amanda Pinard says, "To be a part of the Rapid Relief Fund just feels like the right thing to do."

Naomi Robinson is with the Sexsmith and area food bank and is very grateful for the support of the rapid relief fund, especially given that they had to do a very quick move recently to a new facility.

"[A] new committee was planning on finding new space separate from the Town Office where it had been located for many years.  This moved happened far quicker due to the pandemic. This new group of people formed from partnerships with local churches in our service area as well as some dedicated community residents, in a matter of a one weekend we had a new building secured and had a move completed and completely ready to function. Under the guidance of the new President and Vice president Kyra and Darrell Parlee, this committee has had to deal with; a super quick move,  the pandemic panic and learning how to function in such an important role. These dollars from  the Rotary Club of Grande Prairie COVID-19 Rapid Relief Fund make a huge difference to our new facility.  Thank you so much.”

The new facility is located at Grace Bible Fellowship in Sexsmith. The food bank service area covers Sexsmith, Clairmont, Bezanson, Teepee Creek and LaGlace and rural in between.