• By: Marie Waine
  • Posted: July 9, 2014
  • Category: Arts & Events, Top Stories

Will You Play Hockey for Food?

The summer weather may be heating up, but who says that means hockey season is over? Grab your hockey stick, a few friends, a ball and a can of food and join the Five Hole for Food (FHFF) ball hockey games today on Sparks Street.

FHFF is a national, non-profit organization run by volunteers with a goal of raising food and awareness for Canadians. By using the sport of hockey, FHFF aims to bring together the community and create social change.

FHFF asks, “Will you play hockey for food?” Collecting over an outstanding 500,000 pounds of food for local food banks in the last year, the answer is a loud and clear, “Yes!” All you have to do is sign up to play and bring some non-perishable food.

The idea for the organization was born after the 2010 Winter Olympics in British Columbia. Hockey fans in Vancouver saw firsthand how a sporting event could generate passion and infectious energy—so why not put it to good use?

FHFF tours all over Canada—13 cities in just 18 days. Now in its fifth year, FHFF continues to grow and receive more funds and donations from all over the country. It is on track to becoming Canada’s premier food fundraising movements!

“Many people don’t realize the extent of hunger’s reach in Canada: each month, close to 850,000 Canadians are assisted by food banks and 36 per cent of those are children and youth,” said Richard Loat, Five Hole for Food CEO and founder. “This is what makes the Five Hole for Food fifth road trip and goal to raise our one-millionth pound of food for local food banks that much more important.”

And as the fifth season starts, Loat and the FHFF team have much to be happy about. This year, Bob McKenzie of TSN joined the growing list of hockey ambassadors that support the cause. Others include NHL players Kyle Turris and Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks team president Trevor Linden and Bost Pizza co-founder Jim Treliving.

Come out and play some puck on Sparks Street. Can’t make it? Check out how you can donate to FHFF and get involved in social change.