Although Cochrane didn’t walk away with Kraft Hockeyville’s grand prize of $250,000 and an NHL pre-season game on March 30, the “wins” for the community following the Top 4 finish continue to grow. $25,000 towards upgrades of Cochrane Arena, $10,000 in hockey equipment for deserving youth from the NHLPA, and now an incredible gift from Kraft Heinz – 10,000 pounds of food to support those in need in our area.
The Kraft Heinz Company is committed to alleviating global hunger. In 2022 they provided approximately 334 million meals to people in need through food assistance programs world-wide. Following Cochrane’s Kraft Hockeyville campaign, Catriona Hill, chair of the Cochrane for Kraft Hockeyville committee, was very surprised and excited to get a call from event organizers sharing the good news. “This is an incredible gift for our community,” she said, “While it would have been thrilling to win the grand prize to upgrade Cochrane Arena, this in-kind donation from Kraft Heinz will have a significant positive impact on our most vulnerable citizens. 10,000 pounds – that’s about the same weight (in food) as a COLT Transit bus or a Killer Whale!”
The Helping Hands Society of Cochrane and Area will help ensure that the food is distributed where needed across their local food sheds, and through both the Cochrane and Iyahrhe Nakoda Food Banks. Executive Director, Laura McDonald noted “Alberta has the highest rate of food insecurity in the country. Many people in our community and surrounding area do not have access to sufficient food. In 2023 alone, Helping Hands provided the equivalent of 231,187 meals through donations and our food rescue program. We are extremely happy to accept this donation and get it into the mouths of those who need it most.”
The impacts of Kraft Hockeyville on Cochrane will last far beyond the short campaign to be crowned Canada’s Top Hockey Town. “This food donation from Kraft Heinz is an amazing support for our community and we are very grateful” says SLS Centre CEO and campaign spokesperson, Erin Wagner. “My team is already working on how to best utilize the $25,000 prize money that we received for being in the top four and looking to grow that through fundraising and grants to be able to make fan experience changes at Cochrane Arena. We also won $10,000 in equipment for deserving youth in our community from the NHLPA Goals and Dreams fund and will work with the Cochrane Minor Hockey Association to see that this equipment gets to those who need a hand up in our hockey community.”
“I couldn’t be happier about this incredible donation from Kraft Heinz, made possible through our involvement in Kraft Hockeyville” said Mayor Jeff Genung, “A big shoutout to the Helping Hands Society for their dedication in distributing food to those in need. It’s heartwarming to see our community coming together like this, making Cochrane an even more vibrant and caring community to call home.”
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