THUNDER BAY -- The Confederation College community raised more than $54,000 for their food bank and the United Way this holiday season.
Staff and students raised $42,348 for the United Way of Thunder Bay, which this year’s campaign chairman Michael Nitz called phenomenal.
“More and more people will get access to programs and services that they need to make sure they have a great year themselves,” said Nitz, noting the college stepped it up this year, raising $10,000 more than in 2013.
Nitz said the money goes a long way towards their $2.6 million goal; the agency funds 63 programs within 29 agencies in the community.
They’ve had several campaigns close lately and the good news keeps coming in.
“This is by far one of the amazing ones, especially how large the college is and how much they make an impact. I’m amazed each and every day by the organizations that continue to raise more and more dollars than they did in years past,” said Nitz.
“It’s been a tough year for many but Thunder Bay continues to step up to the plate and it’s just inspiring to see.”
The college also raised a record $17,903 for their Stock the Bank campaign to fill their emergency student food bank. They also collected 5,930 food items for the food bank – another record.
Last year, more than 200 students used the food bank and Student Union of Confederation College Inc. president Chris Cartwright said they have two to three unique users to the food bank every day.
“We always have students coming in,” he said.
The money was raised through events like a pancake breakfast and the marketing students selling upcycled products. They also held a competition between departments to see who could raise the most money or collect the most food items.
Cartwright said the challenge has grown over the years.
“The competition becomes a little fiercer every year to get the bragging rights of who is getting the most food and donations,” he said.
