CBC Calgary's annual Blitz Day pushes fundraising past $1M for Calgary Food Bank

• Donateto the Calgary Food Bank as part of the Make the Season Kind campaign

Helen Henderson,CBC Calgary's senior director of journalism and programming, said the station is grateful for Calgarians' support in a year that's been tough for many.

"The donations, the acts of kindness, and the encouragement we got from our audience brought so much joy to the season," she said. "Southern Albertansalways come through for one another."

Calgary Eyeopener

Blitz Day is an annual tradition for CBC Calgary in which readers,listeners and viewers are invited down the to station at1000Veterans Place N.W.for a full day ofspecial programming, live music and meet-and-greets.

Thursday marked the first time in three years that the event was back to fully in-person.

The day beganwith theCalgary Eyeopener, which drew incrowds early in the morning, with visitors generously contributing to the cause in their own way.

At Lee Mah,a 14-year-old entrepreneur who has donated on Blitz Day for the last five years,runs SodaKid Inc., aSodaStream cannister exchange service. He donates one dollar of each sale to charity, including $2,200 to the Calgary Food Bank this year.

Malcolm Knapp-Durante is another Calgarian who visits Blitz Day each year, always sporting a festive holiday jacket. He collects bottles and brings them to the bottle depot. This year, he contributed $350 to the cause.

Several Calgary companies and individuals donated in the tens and some, hundredsof thousands, wowing crowds throughout the day.

Many Calgarians also continued to support the campaign by purchasinga unique bag of Fratello coffee beans, called One Knight Only,produced and donated by the roastery for the cause. The purchase includes aspecial-edition mug featuring all of the "favourite things" of traffic and weather reporter Angela Knight. All proceeds goto the food bank.

Maureen Patton arrived with her sister to each buy a fewbags.

"I'm always in support of the food bank," Patton said.

"I thought this is the year to come down.... I think it's great, all the different people down here, coming to buy coffee. It's great Christmas spirit to give."

Alberta at Noon

Alberta at Noon broadcast its daily, provincewide call-in program live from the CBC Calgary lobby.

As part of a now yearly tradition, host Judy Aldous asked listeners to swap their favourite holiday memoryfor a performance by Charms, made up of Megan Konschuh and Denis Dufresen, a husband-and-wife duo.

Listeners shared poems, stories and holiday traditions as part of the special program.

WATCH | Get a small taste of the performance Charms gave Thursday:

Charms plays some holiday tunes for visitors to CBC Calgary

2 years ago

Duration 0:24

Musical duo Charms, made up of Megan Konschuh and Denis Dufresen, joined Alberta at Noon Thursday as part of the show's Blitz Day programming.

Janet Preston came out to hear the music over the noon houras well as support the food bank.

"It's an incredible way of giving, especially this Christmas. There's so many less fortunate," she said.

The Homestretch

The Homestretchteam wrappedup the day. Participants were asked to come down to the station with amonetary donation or a non-perishable food item. With the help of those that came, and a few large cheques from area businesses, the $1 million goal was reached.

Sharon Hinayo-Nolascovisited Thursday afternoon to share her own story.

She says she moved to Calgary more than a decade ago, and at that time, she found herself visiting the Calgary Food Bank to help sustain her family.

"I am not shy to say that I used to be a food bank user, and now I am giving back to the community and asking family and friends to get involved in the community and to be part of this because I know that kindness has its own ripple effect," she said.

Her 12-year-old daughter, Allysha Nolasco,stood by her side.

"I just love, love helping people a lot," the girl said."I would like to thank my mom for bringing me along."

Make the Season Kind

There are stillseveral other ways to take part in the fundraiser, including ongoing bakery sales and auctions.

Donation drop-offs will continue to be accepted weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on weekends from noon to 2 p.m. until Dec. 22 at the Parkdale Community Association, 3512 Fifth Ave. N.W.

The final campaign tally will be announced on the Calgary Eyeopener on Jan. 4.

WATCH | If you're not sure what to donate, watch this quick video with some tips:

Calgary Food Bank dos and don'ts

7 years ago

Duration 1:11

The CBC Calgary Food Bank Drive gets under way Dec. 1. Here's some tips of what you should, and what you shouldn't, donate.