For the second year in a row, Councillor Richard Wegener is holding his Charity Challenge to support Strathmore's charities and communities.

Last year, Wegener was raising money for the Strathmore Overnight Shelter, and this year he has chosen The Wheatland County Food Bank. He will match all donations to the foodbank up to $1000, so if you donate to the food bank he asks that you tell them it's part of Wegener's Charity Challenge so that he will know to match it.

"Our whole family, we've been very fortunate, we've never wanted for anything, we have always had food on our table, a place to live... Being on council, I have seen a lot of less fortunate people in our community, both in the Town of Strathmore and the County of Wheatland, which is where the food bank services. Being as fortunate as I am, I have the ability to do this, so I figured I'll give back to the community that has given me so much," he said.

Wegener said so long as he's a member of council, he will run this Charity Challenge every year and choose a new charity each time. He said there are many deserving candidates for the donation, so he hopes to support all the amazing groups that help our community members in difficult situations.

"We have never been in that situation where we have needed any of these social programs, and I figured I can also use my position as a councillor to draw some awareness to that."

Last year Strathmore came out in full force, as he was able to donate around $3000 to the Overnight Shelter, being $2000 worth of community donations plus the donations Wegener matched up to $1000. Wegener said he was surprised when he saw that large of a donation, but also not surprised since he knows just how strong of a community Strathmore is and how our community members are always ready to lend a helping hand. He hopes the community comes out strong again for round two, and hopefully even exceeds last year's amount.

"Our community's strength shines brightest when we come together to support one another. This charity challenge is a unique opportunity for us to make a tangible impact on the lives of families and individuals who rely on the kindness and generosity of their neighbours."

Wegener asks if you're going to go to the foodbank to donate goods or money that you call the foodbank ahead of time, so that the foodbank can protect the anonymity of anyone who needs it services. While all donations are greatly appreciated, the following items are some of the biggest needs at the moment:

  • Canned soup
  • Chunky soup
  • Canned tomatoes
  • Tomato sauce
  • Cereal
  • Flour
  • Sugar
  • Jam
  • Granola bars
  • Pancake mix
  • Syrup
  • Canned meat
  • Kraft Dinner
  • Canned corn
  • Hamburger Helper
  • Juice and juice boxes
  • Personal hygiene essentials
  • Toilet paper

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