The spirit of giving was thriving in downtown Peterborough on Friday morning as the Three Loonies hit the streets for their annual fundraiser in support of Kawartha Food Share.
Over the past 16 years, the “Three Loonies On The Street” event has raised more than $1.2 million for the food bank which assists around 9,000 area residents each month through 36 member agencies. Support also goes to Corus Entertainment’s Corus Feeds Kids program.
Businessman Peter Blodgett dressed up as Santa and invited a number of guests for the live broadcast on Corus Entertainment’s The Wolf 101.5 and 100.5 Fresh radio along with live hits on The Morning Show on CHEX TV.
Volunteers spent three hours canvassing pedestrians and drivers at the corner of King and George streets. Business owners also dropped by with cheque presentations.
Last year’s edition raised more than $100,000 with all the proceeds going directly to the food bank.
“There are families that are less fortunate and with the economic times we have – GE laying off, Sears going out of business, it’s all about helping other people because we can do that,” said Blodgett.
Among the host guests was J.R. McGee with Jack McGee Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC which has been a longtime contributor to the fundraiser.
“What a phenomenal thing to do,” he said.”It’s Peterborough – everybody is out, people are on the streets. There are volunteers from young people to older people, it’s unbelievable.”
Carol Corner is no stranger to volunteer efforts and was back on the pavement seeking donations.
“Over 17 years there has been a lot of donations and one guy this morning in the vehicle said he sold all of his comics for the food bank,” said Corner. “It nearly broke my heart. Support comes from everywhere.”
Kawartha Food Share also helps Peterborough and area schools with their respective breakfast programs.
“There are 51 schools that receive our products,” said food bank chairman Dave Ralph. “That’s helping to feed 17,000 children a day.”
For every one dollar donated, Kawartha Food Share can purchase up to six dollars worth of food.
“If one child is given a proper breakfast and can do something with themselves and make themselves the kind of person they want to be, that’s what this is all about,” said Blodgett.
A final amount for Friday’s event is expected later in the day. At noon, organizers said $100,000 had been collected with more donations to count.
“What Blodgett does and what Corus Entertainment does, we very much appreciate this,” said Ralph.