Tuesday November 28, 2023 | LANGFORD, BC [Updated November 29, 2023]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
A soccer-food bank combo will raise funds for the Goldstream Food Bank in the west shore.
Last week, City of Langford Mayor Scott Goodmanson announced the auction of the City Suite at Starlight Stadium for the December 1 Canada Soccer match versus Australia.
The online fundraiser to the upcoming event is being held in support of the Goldstream Food Bank during a critical time of need.
The auction package includes 30 VIP tickets, and a $1,000 credit towards food and beverage, donated by the West Shore Developers Association (WSDA). The auction was launched on November 21 and ran until 8 pm last night, November 27. A winner has now been selected (Anna D had the top bid at $3,500; followup bid was Gerry St Cyr at $3,400).
All auction dollars will go to the Goldstream Food Bank.
The City suite:
Normally the City’s suite at Starlight Stadium can be used by the City for all events at no cost. Typically, it is used by a combination of elected officials, community groups and other guests. This would have been arranged by the previous council as the stadium was renovated and upgraded in recent years.
“Council agreed that we should embrace the passion for soccer in the community to raise funds for the food bank,” said Goodmanson in a news release last week. People were encouraged to bid what they can.
“We know more people than ever are accessing the support of their local food bank, and this is one small way we can give back and rally around the love of sport for a good cause.”
Hunger drives people to food banks:
Recently the Ontario Food Bank Association says ‘hunger is the new normal’.
There were 1,935,911 visits to food banks across Canada in March 2023 (up 32% compared to March 2022; up 78.5% compared to March 2019), according to Food Banks Canada. More Food Banks Canada stats:
- 33% of food banks users in Canada are children, while only representing 20% of the population
- 43.8% of food banks users in Canada are single adult households, while representing 29.3% of the population
- Seniors represent 8% of Canadian food banks users, with the rate of increase far outpacing other age groups.
- 42.4% of Canadian food banks users are on social assistance or disability-related supports as their main source of income
- 1 in 6 of those accessing food banks in Canada are employed
“Your neighbour, a work colleague, a friend, someone in your family; hunger isn’t an issue reserved solely for strangers or the homeless. Food insecurity can be found even within our closest circles and more often than not, these people go by quietly unnoticed,” says Food Banks Canada.
Many households in trying to pay mortgage or rent as well as other bills and possibly medications are finding it hard to keep up the rising cost of groceries.
Langford support network:
“The West Shore Developers Association is pleased to partner with the City of Langford on this auction to support the Goldstream Food Bank,” said WSDA president Ron Coutre.
“Tickets for this match sold out very quickly, and we believe many people will be eager to have a chance to see the game. Partnering with the City of Langford and giving back to the community is what the WSDA does, and this is another example of that collaborative partnership,” said Coutre.
The Goldstream Food Bank needs support now more than ever before,” said Goldstream Food Bank president Gayle Ireland.
“Every year, we see an increase in the number of people and families using the food bank, and this year we expect to distribute around 700 Christmas hampers. We thank the City of Langford for organizing the auction and the West Shore Developers for their contribution,” Ireland said last week.
The Canada vs Australia match is game one of a two-game series and the last international series of Canada Soccer’s Christine Sinclair’s career. This match prepares both teams for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, with Canada already qualified. Kick off time is 7:30 pm.
===== QUICK FACTS
- Online auction – closed Nov 27, 2023
- Goldstream Food Bank donations – Monetary donations can also be made directly to the Goldstream Food Bank online. The Food Bank then uses its purchasing power, which equates to approximately $2 worth of food for every $1 donated, to purchase items in need. Additionally, donations can be made in person at the Goldstream Food Bank, 761 Station Avenue, between 9 am and 12 noon on the first three Tuesdays and Wednesdays of each month.
===== LINKS:
Food Banks Canada | Goldstream Food Bank | Local Food Security News (Island Social Trends)
===== ABOUT ISLAND SOCIAL TRENDS:
Island Social Trends posts daily news at IslandSocialTrends.ca .
Mary P Brooke is the founding Editor and daily journalist and photo journalist for Island Social Trends. Ms Brooke reports with the BC Legislative Press Gallery, and still covers west shore news highlights.
Ms Brooke founded and built a west shore news presence with the printed publications MapleLine Magazine 2008-2010, Sooke Voice News 2011-2013, and West Shore Voice News 2014-2020 before launching the fully online IslandSocialTrends.ca. The printed publications are now archived in the Sooke Region Museum permanent collections.
In 2023, Mary Brooke was nominated for the Jack Webster Foundation award that recognizes a woman journalist’s contribution to her community through journalism.
Ms Brooke has a B.Sc. in Foods and Nutrition (with sociology and consumer education) and now provides leadership in urban food resilience.