Councillor's challenge pays off for the Calgary Food Bank
City council took part in a heated battle at Calgary Food Bank Thursday morning as part of an annual food drive.
During the second annual councillor’s challenge, teams competed to fill as many emergency hampers as possible within a 15-minute time limit.
The event is part of an 11-day food drive battle between the wards.
The winning team/councillor of Thursday’s event will receive a 75-pound head start in the challenge.
Last year during the councillor’s challenge, city council raised just over $80,000 in food and funds for the Calgary Food Bank.
Ward 5 and Coun. Raj Dhaliwal was crowned the title of raising the most, receiving bragging rights and the “Golden Lettuce Award.”
The real winner, though, was the food bank, which said it’s seen a dramatic increase in demand and is struggling to keep up.
It said it is putting out up to 750 emergency hampers a day, feeding more than 10,000 people a week.
It’s a problem being felt across the country.
According to Food Banks Canada, there are almost 2 million monthly users, a 78 per cent jump since the pandemic.
On top of that historic demand, the organization said high inflation is slowing donations -- making this event more important than ever.
To take part, each councillor has a dedicated webpage to raise funds and has selected a few donation drop-off locations in their ward.
The food will be picked up on Dec. 10.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6945600.1719608806!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
'We need new leadership': Liberal MP writes to caucus, says Justin Trudeau should resign
A sitting Liberal MP has written to the federal caucus to say he thinks Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should resign. 'For the future of our party and for the good of our country we need new leadership and a new direction,' said New Brunswick MP Wayne Long in the brief note.
DEVELOPING Minivan slams into a Long Island nail salon, killing 4 and injuring 9, fire official says
A minivan slammed into a Long Island nail salon Friday, killing four people and injuring 9, a Suffolk County fire official said.
Ontario MPP removed from PC caucus over 'serious lapses in judgment'
Premier Doug Ford has removed a member of his caucus due to what he’s describing as 'serious lapses in judgment.' In a statement released Friday morning, the premier’s office said MPP Goldie Ghamari had been removed from the Progressive Conservative caucus 'effective immediately.'
Lt.-Gen. Jennie Carignan to become first woman to lead Canadian Armed Forces
Lt.-Gen. Jennie Carignan will be named Canada's new Chief of the Defence Staff, CTV News has learned, making her the first woman to lead the Canadian Armed Forces.
Martin Mull, hip comic and actor from 'Fernwood Tonight' and 'Roseanne,' dies at 80
Martin Mull, whose droll, esoteric comedy and acting made him a hip sensation in the 1970s and later a beloved guest star on sitcoms including 'Roseanne' and 'Arrested Development,' has died, his daughter said Friday.
Multivitamins don't help you live longer, study suggests
Millions of people who take multivitamins everyday may not be reaping the perceived health benefits, according to new research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Is marriage harder than it was 10 years ago? Why one psychologist thinks so
Marriage might be the oldest institution in the world, but it's struggling to adapt to the pressures of modern life. Registered psychologist Adisa Azubuike explains why it's more difficult today.
Five survivors from Sudbury, Ont., rescued in human trafficking investigation
Six people have been charged in a provincial human trafficking investigation that identified five survivors from Greater Sudbury.
Human remains discovered at recycling facility in B.C.'s Lower Mainland
Workers discovered human remains at recycling facility in New Westminster, B.C., on Thursday, CTV News has learned.