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Boyle Foodbank begins year with a bang

The Boyle Community Food & Clothing Bank started their new year in style, accepting the Community Spirit Award for 2010.
Representatives of the Boyle Food Bank (l-r) Leanna Pavnell, Steve Wilcox and Gwen Hal, display the Community Spirit Award presented to them by Boyle Mayor Don Radmanovich on
Representatives of the Boyle Food Bank (l-r) Leanna Pavnell, Steve Wilcox and Gwen Hal, display the Community Spirit Award presented to them by Boyle Mayor Don Radmanovich on Jan. 5.

The Boyle Community Food & Clothing Bank started their new year in style, accepting the Community Spirit Award for 2010.

Secretary/treasurer Leanna Pavnell, vice president Steve Wilcox and director Gwen Hall were on hand to receive the award from village council during their bi-weekly meeting on Jan. 5.

“We thought we were just getting a piece of paper,” said Pavnell, who was responsible for writing the letter that won the Food Bank the award.

“I never told her that I wrote the letter until we won,” Pavnell confessed, referring to Hall. “I didn’t want her to be disappointed.”

The Food Bank was notified that they would receive the award on Dec. 21.

“Keep up the good work,” councillor Roger Hall encouraged during the presentation.

The award adds to what has been an exciting month for the Boyle Food Bank.

On Dec. 7, the Food Bank officially opened its doors in their new location at the Gateway Community Church.

“The people of the church welcomed us with open arms,” Wilcox said at the time of their move. “It’s been awesome.”

Prior to its relocation, the Food Bank had been housed within the Seventh-Day Adventist Church since its launch in 1996.

The Food Bank has been extremely busy since their move, so much so that they had to extend their food room to accommodate the demand.

During the holidays, 41 hampers were donated to local families in need, with every family member receiving a Christmas gift in addition to the turkey dinner.

Since the holidays, Pavnell explained that the Food Bank’s supply has taken a beating, and that donations are a top priority.

“We’re trying to bring the Food Bank to the community,” Pavnell said. “Not just during Christmas, but all year.”

A contest was held during the holidays to see which local trucking company could bring in the most weight in food; the winner to have bragging rights for the year.

Tri-Gen Construction Ltd., a local, family-run business in Boyle since 1972, won the competition by bringing in 360 lbs of food. Tri-Gen has also been a longtime supporter and sponsor for the Food Bank.

The Food Bank is open Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Those who wish to donate can contact Pavnell at 780-689-5190 or 780-213-1254, or can leave clothes and non-perishable items in the drop-box next to the door at the rear of the church.

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