Four businesses in Estevan are participating in a food drive to help out the Estevan Salvation Army’s food bank this month.
Green for Life (GFL) Environmental has put out a challenge to local businesses to see who could collect and build the best soup can mountain. The Southern Plains Co-op’s Estevan grocery store, the Black Grasshopper restaurant and TS&M Supply are also participating.
The canned soup will be collected by employees and any customers who would like to participate in this initiative.
The challenge starts Dec. 12 and will continue through Dec. 19.
Sarah Fitzpatrick, the finance manager at GFL’s Estevan location, and Jim Weber, the general manager for GFL’s southern Saskatchewan solid waste division, said they wanted to do something with the public to give back.
They approached the Salvation Army to find out what they need, and met with family services manager Ronza Reynard. A tour of the food bank was arranged.
“She actually mentioned that what they’re lacking a lot of lately is on the soup side of things,” said Weber. “Ronza was the one who mentioned she’s always wanted to do a soup mountain.”
Fitzpatrick suggested having a competition between businesses to build their own soup mountain, and then donate the soup to the Salvation Army.
“We went to a couple of our customers, and put out the challenge to a couple of the businesses in town here to see what they think,” said Fitzpatrick.
When GFL approached those businesses about the competition, Weber said they didn’t even have to fully explain the concept before the businesses agreed to get on-board.
GFL says they are very happy with the response they received.
Fitzpatrick conceded GFL is at a bit of a disadvantage, because they have the fewest people passing through their doors, but this disadvantage also places the onus on the staff to bring in more soup.
“It’s fun for the competition to have that little bit going on, and in the end it’s really the Salvation Army that’s going to win here, to give back to them for all that they do,” said Weber.
Judging will take place Dec. 20. Mayor Roy Ludwig and Reynard will determine who has the best soup mountain. The winning company will provide a pizza party for their staff.
Fitzpatrick said the goal of all four companies is to fill the soup room inside the food bank.
“It used to be completely filled with soup,” said Fitzpatrick. “She mentioned that she thought they’d never have to ask again, just because it was so full. And because it’s such a staple in their hampers, the room is now depleted. And they’re at a point where they need to ask.”
