The Sun Valley Co-op took part in a fund raising event on Sept. 19 for local community organizations. The event was called Fuel Good Day and included all Co-op Gas Bars across Western Canada.

On this day, 5 cents per litre of any fuel that was sold was donated to a charity of the retailer's choice.

On Wednesday, donations of $2,600 were given out to the Red River Valley Food Bank and Rhineland Area Food Bank.

"We figured Thanksgiving is around the corner and usually food banks are in need around that time," said Brad Iverson, General Manager of Sun Valley Co-op.

Iverson noted this is the first year of the event and he hopes to continue it in the future.

(left to right) Kelsie Bergen, Brad Iverson, Angelika Stoesz

Pat Rempel has been with the Red River Valley Food Bank for 26 years and is the coordinator of the organization. She said they are very grateful for the donation.

"We've had a busy need all summer and our numbers have increased over the last few months, and yes, we will get busier," said Rempel.

Canned goods, canned fruits, canned vegetables, cereals, peanut butter, jam, and hygiene items are popular, she added.  

The money will be used for items that they run out of, and Rempel shops at local grocery stores, drugs stores, and area producers for those items.

Angelika Stoesz, Board Chair of Rhineland and Area Food Bank, was also happy to accept the donation that will go toward grocery purchases.

"We have a list, a menu, of things that we serve every week, and every week we need to re-stock them," explained Stoesz.

She noted some of the most important items are canned fruit, canned meat, canned soups, pastas, non-sugared cereal, juice and peanut butter. "Those are the things that we use on a regular basis," Stoesz said.