Chuckwagon drivers give back

Times Contributor   

 

The World Professional Chuckwagon Association (WPCA) partnered with Encana and participated in the Race Against Hunger charity this Strathmore Stampede long weekend at the local Sobeys. Part of the program takes two chuckwagon drivers that volunteer their time to bag groceries as an incentive for people to donate money or food to the local food bank. 

“It started a few years back where there was a… lack of food (donated) in the summer months,” said Larry Marshall, in charge of Community Relations and Community Investment for Encana. 

The event goes on at each stop on the chuckwagon circuit where volunteer chuckwagon drivers will come out, help bag groceries, sign autographs in order to promote donations. 

“You know we’re talking Fort Nelson, Grand Prairie, Ponoka, Dawson Creek, Strathmore, and that’s just to name a few,” says Marshall. “We’re just getting better at it every year.”

To show their commitment to the program, Encana matches dollar for dollar every monetary donation as well as donating $2 for every pound of non-perishable food that is donated. Last summer they raised over $103,000 and 11,500 pounds of food through this charity. 

Food donations as well as monetary donations are important to keep charities like local food banks operating smoothly in order to help the needy, and Encana and the WPCA are committed to making a difference. 

“Encana is one of our major tour sponsors so any chance we have to support an event by Encana is a real benefit to us and it’s a real good thing to be involved in,” said Doug Irvine, chuckwagon driver, as he bagged groceries at Sobeys. 

“It’s a great charity to feed the hungry and just anything we can do, we’re just ordinary people as well, but if we can help and entice more money and donations to the Race Against Hunger then it benefits everyone.”

Barry Hogston was also helping bag groceries at the event, he spoke about the importance of being part of the community in the towns and cities that they race in.

“It’s great to be involved in (the Race Against Hunger), the people are so uplifting and it’s nice to give something back to the people who come look after and watch us race,” says Hogston.