The Whitecourt Food Bank felt the love over the holidays thanks to generous community members

John C. Maxwell was right when he coined the phrase; teamwork makes the dream work. Working together as a team and cheering the success of others, in turn, helps everyone. This statement was proved during the holidays when the team at Wellspring’s Twice Is Nice chose to help another non-profit, the Whitecourt Food Bank. “To have another non-profit want to help a non-profit is just amazing,” said Whitecourt Food Bank Director Lori Coffey. “We have worked so well and in sync for years, and it really is wonderful. They are so supportive of us. Becky Wells is such a great person.”

Over three weeks, the staff at Twice Is Nice collected items for the food bank. On top of that, the manager at Midtown Mall, Herb Steffensen, decided to join in on the Christmas cheer too. “He let people have a little market to sell hockey cards and stuff in the mall, and instead of taking a fee from them, he asked them to buy food for the food bank. So, he made sure we got even more donations! He escalated it and was instrumental in ensuring that it was a success.”

In total, the campaign resulted in 10 boxes of food and two $100 gift cards. Coffey said that being able to work with such a great group makes all the difference. “We should all be able to work together like this. We serve the same people. We can do way more together than separate, and this proves that. I mean, this is a second-hand store. Twice Is Nice is working to raise money for their own program, so for them to share and include me is just incredible. It’s incredible!”

The two non-profits have been working together since the store opened. “It opened, and it was pretty instantaneous where we could support each other. We have been working together ever since.” One way that Twice Is Nice supports the food bank is by providing gift cards for people to shop. Since Coffey sometimes finds herself in a position where someone needs a little extra help, having a gift card from the second-hand store allows her to do more.

“They can buy whatever as it’s a regular gift card, so no one else knows. We do not hand the cards out to everyone. If a parent is struggling and can’t get clothes for their children or needs winter clothes, then they can come to talk to me, and I can help them. I do not use them too often, but being able to have them is so important. It is nice to be able to have that in my back pocket and to be able to know that I can fulfill that for someone if they come to me with nothing, then I can fill them up with food and get them some clothes and get them a start. By coming together, we give people a better chance,” smiled Coffey.

“It is just absolutely refreshing to work with people who want to be a team and do what’s best for the community. They are such hard workers, and that store is beautiful. They are all amazing people. Becky and her girls are lovely individuals, and I feel incredibly lucky to be able to work with them.”

The Whitecourt Food Bank received another big boost over the holidays when 1st Choice Husky Truck & Car Wash called her up to see if she needed support for her new van. “For them to see the need before it’s even asked for is just amazing, and it makes them an awesome community business,” said Coffey. She said that she received a call from Wayne Bronson asking if she had any vehicle sponsorship. When she revealed that she did not, he offered to cover the gas for the Food Bank van and windshield washer fluid for the year. Coffey said she could not believe it.

“They are the first community corporate sponsorship that reached out to me. I think he is amazing. It is such a generous offer from them, and it was so needed. That was our biggest concern cost-wise with the van, and he just took it away. It was such a huge sigh of relief!” On Friday, December 18, she filled up her gas tank at 1st Choice Husky Truck & Car Wash. “I filled up the van today for free for the first time. I took a picture of the moment because it was special. We are so grateful to Wayne and everyone at Husky.”

On the same day, Coffey received a visit by MLA Martin Long. One of her volunteers joked that if someone is standing around talking, they must start helping. To their surprise, he took off his jacket, rolled up his sleeves and started helping. He ended up staying for two hours. “He worked hard! Then he came with me to Central School to accept a donation check of $660. He was an unexpected volunteer that day. That’s how you do community!”

It was clear that community members recognized that 2020 was a tough year and that 2021 would be challenging also. Blue Ridge Lumber got in the spirit and donated COVID/hygiene kits to the food bank as an extra item for Coffey to include in food boxes. Overall, this year’s donation tally was massive. “We raised more food than we ever had. It is heartwarming to see how the community came together, and it seems like the less people have, the more they donate. I cannot explain it. The community has been so generous to the food bank. I do not know how to say thank you adequately. Thank you!”