Although admission for Powell River Logger Sports weekend on July 13 and July 14 is free, volunteers will be at entrance ways to the event at Willingdon Beach collecting donations for Powell River Action Centre Food Bank (PRAC).
According to food bank manager Savanna Dee, nearly $8,000 in donations was received during last year's event.
“We [PRAC] collected $2,283 worth of food, and $5,673 in cash and cheques,” said Dee in a conversation with the Peak last year. “Once again, Powell Riverites showed their awesome generosity.”
Although nonperishable food items are welcome, Dee said giving the food bank cash or a cheque is best, because of its buying power. PRAC can use the funds collected to buy in bulk and thus utilize the donations that come in.
"With donations down, 198 new people last year [using the food bank] and over 3,000 visits to the food bank last year, we are in crisis mode," stated Dee in an email to the Peak. "Skyrocketing prices have put us in a difficult situation. Powell River Loggers Sports has heard our cry for help again this year."
Dee said PRAC Food Bank volunteers will be manning each of the three gates to collect donations.
The highly anticipated carving competition begins on July 10 at the Willingdon Beach walkway across from the Chopping Block. Artists will be working with their chainsaws to create unique sculptures out of large pieces of wood in a multi-day challenge. Local carvers Clinton Bleaney and Jay Perrin will be participating, plus out-of-towners Marina Cole and Tao Feng will be competing.
Powell River Logger Sports weekend competitors from the qathet region are: Keenan Young, Verjall Ham, Julian Welp, Rosalea Pagani, Alicia Walsh and Michelle Silvester.
Some out of town competitors include: Allison Briscoe, Andrea Hand and Mitch Hewitt.
To find out how to donate to Powell River Action Centre Food Bank, go to powellriverfoodbank.com.
To find out more about logger sports events, go to the Powell River Logger Sports Facebook page.
Join the Peak’s email list for the top headlines right in your inbox Monday to Friday.
