MOOSE JAW — In a heartwarming display of community spirit from Moose Jaw’s senior community, several retirement homes partnered up to contribute a sizable donation in support of the Moose Jaw & District Food Bank last week.
To compile the donation, staff, residents, and their families from four local retirement homes — Atria Mulberry Estates, Aspira Retirement Living, Points West Living, and The Bentley by Venvi — came together to raise $4,810.00 in support of the Moose Jaw & District Food Bank on Aug. 15.
“We’re all just really happy to be helping out the community of Moose Jaw with our donation to the food bank from the retirement communities in Moose Jaw,” announced Carol Bachiu, the resident engagement manager at Aspira West Park Crossing. “We’re so happy to be able to do this donation.”
The presentation came in part from donations that each participating retirement community collected on behalf of the food bank throughout the first part of August. The Aug.15 presentation involved a group of residents who opted to attend thanks to transportation buses provided by each of the respective homes.
“We (had both) food and cash donations that each community (has taken) down (to the food bank) …,” explained Tricia Oblander, the community sales and marketing manager at Atria Mulberry Estates. These non-perishable food items were presented alongside the cheque during the morning’s food bank visit.
Following the donation, everyone was invited to take a tour of the food bank and meet the hardworking volunteers who work behind the scenes to help feed the community.
The donation came at a crucial moment for the local food bank as it still claims to be recovering from a possible temporary closure due to rising costs and a shortage of donations this summer. As of Aug. 16, the food bank’s executive director Jason Moore said the non-profit has so far achieved “just over half” of its $150,000 goal that was first announced on July 18.
Venvi The Bentley Moose Jaw is located at 425 Fourth Avenue Northwest and can be reached at 306-692-7161.
Atria Mulberry Estates is located at 220 Mulberry Lane and can be reached at 306-694-5020.
Points West Living Moose Jaw is located at 917 Bradley Street and can be reached at 306-693-3777.
Aspira Retirement Living is located at 1801 Meier Drive and can be reached at 306-694-4744.
The Moose Jaw & District Food Bank is located at 270 Fairford Street West and can be reached at 306-692-2911 during its regular business hours or by email at EndHunger@MJFoodBank.org.
