A small campaign kicked off by a girl in Oak Bay showcases the power of one person.
Michaela Burke pitted a handful of banks on The Avenue against each other in a friendly three-week competition and in the process raised enough food to feed a family of four for two weeks.
While RBC came away the winner, raising 80 pounds of food, 11-year-old Burke points out that everyone’s the winner, and supporting others is a team sport.
“I feel really happy that we made a positive impact in the lives of others,” Burke said. “My biggest feeling is gratitude to the community – we all contributed and together made a big difference.”
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The challenge wrapped up March 4 raising 185 pounds of food and nearly $200 in cash. Based on Food Banks Canada and Second Harvest, one pound of food is equivalent to a meal, explained Colleen Sparks, director of development with Mustard Seed Street Church and Food Bank, the recipient of the food and funds. The Victoria non-profit provides more than 1,200 hampers per month to support more than 5,000 people.
That means Burke raised more than enough food and money to feed a family of four three meals a day for two weeks, Sparks said.
“The food and donations were wonderful. My other goal was to raise awareness that food insecurities are a real challenge, especially for families. If all kids could feel safe and healthy what a wonderful world it would be,” Burke said.
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She’s confident that the goal was achieved, based on how involved bank staff and customers were.
“I think the community and the banks had fun in helping and we made an impact by working together to nourish families with food,” she said.
The idea sparked from a class at Glenlyon Norfolk School studying the 17 global goals, where No. 2 is zero hunger. The standout statistic that one in three food bank clients nationwide are children also spurred her into action.
“Zero Hunger is a big goal. This project has taught us that if you are committed to help you can make a difference, just think what we were able to do in two weeks with our small team,” Burke said.”What if everyone committed to sharing food one day a week, even just one pound - what a difference that would make.”
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