Andrew Casellato (left) and Braden Nienaber (right) load up the food donated to take to the Battlefords & District Food and Resource Centre. (Facebook/Battlefords North Stars)

By Martin Martinson

Giving back to community

North Stars’ food drive raises over 650 pounds in donations for those in need

Dec 8, 2023 | 4:00 PM

With just a couple of weeks until Christmas is here, the Battlefords North Stars dropped off the food collected through their annual seasonal food drive, totaling 652 pounds of goods donated that were delivered to the Battlefords & District Food and Resource Centre.

President of the team, Kyle Kellgren said it’s been incredible to see the amount collected again this year, as one of the most successful years of the initiative to date.

“That’s one thing about being a community-run team, the community helps us out all the time in making the North Stars as successful as they are,” Kellgren said.

“Being able to give back in this manner is huge for us. Our organization prides itself on being a part of the Battlefords, so anytime we can give back, we want to do that. It’s a great feeling for our organization from the board to our coaching staff and office manager, everyone involved with the club.”

An extended food drive beginning in November this year, the North Stars teamed up with Battleford Furniture, who contributed prizes that those bringing donations to the games could enter for a chance to win. This included three countertop convection ovens and three smaller apartment-size deep freezers, in addition to being entered for a chance to win a grand prize as well.

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Executive Director at the Battlefords & District Food and Resource Centre, Erin Katerynych said the donations will go a long way.

“We help over 2,000 people every month and sometimes we struggle, so this is amazing,” she said. “The food we collect at Christmas time carries us through the spring so I’d like to thank Battleford Furniture for going ahead and doing all of that and the community because they’re always fantastic with supporting the food bank here in town.”

North Stars players, Andrew Casellato and Braden Nienaber helped out in delivering the food from the rink to the food bank, with the former speaking to the community support as well.

“It was definitely my workout for the day,” Casellato said with a laugh, adding, “We’re really grateful for and appreciate all the support the town and the city gives us here in the Battlefords.

“Whether it’s the food or our upcoming teddy bear toss, their support at the home games really means a lot. […] We’re thankful for them and we hope we can continue to put our best foot forward on the ice and give them a reason to continue to come out every night.”

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

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