Food banks benefit from cross-Canada ball hockey event

REGINA – Reginans shot some pucks on Scarth Street for a good cause on Sunday, as Five Hole for Food travelled to the Queen City.

Five Hole for Food is a non-profit group that tours across the country. It’s their fourth annual year rounding residents up to play hockey in exchange for local food bank donations.

“There’s this misconception that hunger is a season problem. ‘Feed a man at Christmas, feed a man at Thanksgiving.’ Well he’s not fed for the year, so with the food shelves running empty I think its great we are able to inspire Canadians to take their passion and turn it into action,” said Richard Loat, founder of Five Hole for Food.

This coast to coast event kicked off in St. Johns, Newfoundland and will end in Vancouver on July 20.

The requirement to participate is a hockey stick, runners and a donation for the food bank.

“It’s so heart-warming to see each of the communities coming out and trying to help their neighbours in any way they can,” said Jacqueline Bolton, of ING Direct.

This year Five Hole for Food aims to raise 250,000 pounds of food in 17 days. By the time they arrived in Regina, the organization had collected over 100,000 pounds.