It may not be the same but the North Bay Food Bank is trying its best to continue the tradition that starting back in 2005.
“I have a soft spot for this because I have a huge love of Tom Hedican and we have a lot of support for him and loyalty for this program that he built,” said North Bay Food Bank Chair Katharine Strang.
“We take pride that this is a province wide program but it started here with our guy and it’s close to the hearts of many people.”
The Food Bank is organizing the Coach4Food campaign which doesn’t include team practices this year.
Instead this year, the Food Bank is asking teams to gather food on their own with the top teams winning a chance to have a practice run by the North Bay Battalion.
This year’s initiative will include a practice for one boys or girls team that brings in the most food, one competitive boys team that brings in the most food and one competitive girls team that brings in the most food.
And as a bonus this year, there will be a draw with the names of every team that participates in Coach4Food 2016 for a suite during a Battalion game in 2017 with a pizza party and some Battalion give-aways for the kids.
“Much thanks to Mike Griffin (Battalion President) and the entire Battalion team for their constant dedication and support, stated Strang.
As part of Coach4Food, the Food Bank is coordinating a city wide food drive which will take place on Sunday, December 18th.
“Players and coaches will be out in our city collecting from 10:30 a.m. until 12 p.m. Please give generously to these dedicated volunteers,” she added.
“We are going to divide up the city into portions and you will go out and what you collect will be your portion of coach4food. So the more kids you get and the more houses you knock on, the more food you will get and the bigger your totals will be that day and it will all go toward the three practices and the Battalion box.”
