She began her Fitness Fundraiser on September 28th and ran 5 kilometres every day, leading up to her birthday this weekend.
Shawna Ryan called this her “Fitness Fundraiser at 50” and proceeds were for the Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre.
Executive Director, Laurie O’Connor, says Shawna not only raised over $1,600, but she also raised awareness about the need in the community and about all of the programs that the Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre offers.
She says, “We have employment training programs. We have growing food programs, food literacy, food education programs within our nutrition programs, and of course our income tax program. There’s lots of really cools things we do, and lots of ways to get involved in the work that we do.”
Every day, Shawna Ryan posted about her fundraising journey and all that the Food Bank does and the need that is growing in the community, with more people utilizing the Food Bank’s services.
O’Connor thanks Shawn for her efforts, stating, “We are grateful for Shawna’s efforts to bring attention to hunger in the community.”
The Executive Director says, “There are so many hardships people are experiencing. We know the cost of groceries is having a huge impact on everyday households, and we are all feeling the pinch. For thousands of people in Saskatoon, that pinch has become harsh and unrelenting.”
As the holiday season approaches, the Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre has seen a major surge in hamper requests by singles and families facing food insecurity.
O’Connor notes that 41 per cent of requests for emergency hampers are made on behalf of children.