Representatives of the city’s three food banks were on hand for a cheque presentation in council chambers last Tuesday evening. From left are Bob Lovett of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at Mary Queen of the World, councillors Jim Locke and Chelsea Lane, Sandra Milmore of St. Vincent de Paul at Our Lady Queen of Families foodbank, councillor Isabelle Fry, Mayor Dave Aker, Felicia Cowan of the Salvation Army, and councillors Bill Antle and Mark Rice. Mark Squibb photo
By Mark Squibb
Folks from Mount Pearl and beyond brave enough to face the annual Haunting of Powers Pond this past October helped raise thousands of dollars – as well as tonnes of food – for local food banks.
All told, approximately $21,000 was raised. As a result, the City gifted three local food banks $3,600 each, for a total of $10,800 in donations. The remaining monies will help fund other community initiatives.
The money is in addition to the five tonnes of food donated.
“That shows both how popular the event was, and just how incredibly engaged our community members were, but also the importance of partnerships,” said Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley, who extended thanks to staff and volunteers involved with the event.
“It was a win-win-win-win,” said Kieley. “I’m so happy to hear that in a time that we’re going into Christmas that we’re helping to stock our food banks and support those community groups.”
The event was scheduled to run from October 17th thru to the 26th, but the City extended it by two days as dreary weather shuttered the walk on a number of nights.
That Sunday, which people believed would be the last night for the event, vehicles were lined up as far as Donovan’s Irving, with people waiting their turn to get in. Recreation director Jason Collins estimated some 5,000 people came out that Sunday evening alone.
Intensity levels were adjusted on a night-by-night basis so that everyone had an opportunity to enjoy, whatever their level of scare-tolerance.
A number of food bank representatives were on hand for the cheque presentation in the council chamber last Tuesday.
“This was a great event, and I’d like to thank all the staff,” said Sandra Milmore. “I didn’t go around though because I was too scared. That stuff freaks me out. But so many people came through. The weather wasn’t really on our side, but people still came, and it was a great event.”
Milmore said the foodbanks have been hit by both an increase in demand for food and an increase in the price of food.
Hosting the event, however, comes with a hefty security bill. Council approved the payment of that bill – $19,458 all told – during last week’s meeting.
“It’s too bad we have to do this,” lamented councillor Bill Antle. “But without the security there, the products could be broken up and all this kind of stuff. But that’s a $19,000 cost to the City.”
The event was first launched in 2024, and was a resounding success from the get go, as the City estimates some 28,000 people braved the trial in it’s inaugural year.