As of Monday, October 26, organizers say they have raiseed just over $31,000 for area food banks through Cars for Christmas lottery ticket sales (Photo: Cars for Christmas / Facebook)

By Shaun Penner

Cars for Christmas

Cars for Christmas organizers hoping for final push to support area food banks

Oct 26, 2020 | 9:59 AM

Organizers for the Cars for Christmas lottery are hoping for a big push this week, as it is the final week to support area food banks when purchasing a lottery ticket.

Through the month of October and until November 1, the lottery is donating one dollar from each ticket sold in its three lotteries to the eight regional food banks in the Grande Prairie area.

Tab Pollock with the Swan City Rotary Club says the club wanted to continue their support for area food banks, after their annual food bank drive had to go virtual last month due to COVID-19.

“And they were able to raise about $100,000, still knowing there was a gap,” said Pollock.

“So far (through the lottery), we have raised about ($31,000), and we want to get that number closer to $75,000.”

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The club had hoped to raise $250,000 through its Virtual Food Bank Drive back in September. With that, Pollock is hoping the community can step up a second time around to help out those in need.

“It gives you an opportunity to help, it gives you an opportunity to win and we’re hoping we can raise that $75,000 number and help local food banks.”

As the lottery continues into November and December, Pollock says the lottery will be continuing the one dollar per ticket donations with a different theme each month.

“We’re going to pick (groups) like emergency responders, mental health, that kind of thing during the month of November,” said Pollock. “Then we are going to have a theme for December of children. So, helping kids.”

Those groups that will be supported include:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Grande Prairie
• Camp Tamarack Association
• GP Catholic Schools Education Foundation
• GP Public Schools Education Foundation
• Centre for Creative Arts
• Peace Area Riding for the Disabled Society
• IMPACT GP (Formerly Prevention of Family Violence)
• GP Council on Aging – Seniors Outreach and Meals on Wheels
• Regional EMS Foundation
• Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention
• Grande Prairie Gymnastics Society
• Swan City Rotary Club
• Rotaract Club of Grande Prairie

Tickets for the 2020 Cars for Christmas lottery can be purchased at www.carsforchristmas.com, by calling 780-532-0506, or starting October 27 at the kiosk in the Prairie Mall Kiosk, located near Ricki’s Clothing.