The hunt for championship glory was not the only focus for the Victoria Grizzlies this season; they also had some hungry mouths to feed.
Because for every puck put into the back of the net, both home and away, the Grizzlies banked $60 for the Goldstream Food Bank.
With the lamp lit up 188 times, the Grizzlies racked up a grand total of $11,280, made possible by Waterworks Irrigation and a mystery donor.
“It’s nice to score on the ice of course, but knowing that every goal is not only helping your team win but also the community, it’s just that much sweeter,” said Grizzlies’ top scorer Reegan Hiscock. "Myself and everyone on the team are very grateful for what [Waterworks Irrigation has] been doing to collaborate the joy of scoring goals into the joy of giving back.”
The $11,280 donation was celebrated at a special ceremony before the Grizzlies' showdown with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs – the last home game of the season on March 22 – with representatives from Waterworks Irrigation, Goldstream Food Bank and Langford Mayor Scott Goodmanson in attendance.
With the cost of living continuing to rise, the Goldstream Food Bank has seen an increase in demand for its services. The organization reported in November last year it had set a sobering record for the food bank, distributing 159 hampers in one day.
With every dollar donated by Waterworks Irrigation and the mystery donor, the food bank can purchase $2 worth of food, so it is hoped the money raised will help keep shelves stocked for the next few months, supporting residents across the West Shore.
"Local businesses like Waterworks Irrigation are the backbone of our community," said Walter Dubeau, vice-president of the Goldstream Food Bank. "Their support through the Victoria Grizzlies is a testament to the power of collaboration and the incredible impact we can achieve when we unite for a common cause. We are deeply grateful for their commitment to making a difference.”
"We think it’s amazing," said a spokesperson for Waterworks Irrigation. "We’ve always been community-focused, and we think our clients really appreciate that."
As for the identity of the Grizzlies season ticket holder who topped up Waterworks' $20 donation for every goal to $60, that remains a mystery – at their request.
Riding high from the community celebration, the Grizzlies went on to defeat the Bulldogs 3-2, fending off a late five-minute penalty for their 28th win of the season in front of over 1,500 fans at the Q Centre.
For more information about the Goldstream Food Bank, which is located at 761 Station Ave., visit the website: https://goldstreamfoodbank.org.
