Linda Turcotte said Wednesday that she had forgotten that she and her husband Roger had made a short video and submitted it to Food Basics as part of their "I Want It All" contest.
The premise of the contest was to make a video sharing what you would do if you got free groceries for a year, but evolved into something much more.
The Turcotte's video shows Linda doing much of the talking and Roger agreeing with her right at the end in a way that caught the Food Basics team's eye. Linda explained that if they had the extra money, they would go on a special trip for their 50th wedding anniversary in April.
Wednesday, at the Food Basics on Cassells Street, Linda and Roger arrived at the store to collect the $250 shopping spree that they had been told they had won as part of the contest. The couple had decided that they would donate all of the won food to the North Bay Food Bank.
They happily filled shopping carts full of goods, pleased that they could help people out at Christmas time.
As they approached the bakery section, they were surprised with balloons and decorations in the shape of the number "50." Food Basics reps informed the Turcotte's that not only had they won the $250 shopping spree, but had also been selected to receive a $5,000 gift card from Expedia.ca to take their anniversary trip.
The Turcotte's were overcome with emotion at the kind gesture by Food Basics. They think San Diego, where they have family, or an Alaskan cruise is in their future.
Linda said that she had never won anything before and that reading about the contest on the bottom part of her grocery bill and following up was the secret to their success.
A spokesperson for the discount food chain explained the wish-fulfilling as a way to thank their loyal customers. "Food Basics believes saving money on groceries means more freedom to reward yourself with the things you really want."
Rick Smith, a representative for the grocery chain, said that from hundreds of entries, the Turcottes' stood out because of the momentous anniversary they were celebrating, and by the obvious love the couple has for each other.
