Call it the win-win-win lottery.
Starting September 10, almost 50 Manitoba charities will be participating in One Great Lottery – a combined effort to raise awareness and funds across the province’s philanthropic landscape. South East Helping Hands is one of them, and operations manager Ken Dyck is excited to participate alongside other important organizations.
“We’re involved with 48 organizations from right across Manitoba,” he says. “There are 23 chances to win – and the tickets are cheap! – and everyone has a good chance to win some money and help all our charities.”
That’s a win for Manitoba not-for-profits, a win for South East Helping Hands, and a win for, well, the lottery winners.
And, like Dyck says, the ticket prices make it accessible for everyone. Bundles of 3 tickets cost $15, 25 cost $25, 100 cost $50 and 400 cost $100, or 25 cents each.
“How many tickets can you buy nowadays anywhere for 25 cents and have 23 chances at winning,” Dyck asks rhetorically. “Everybody wins!”
One Great Lottery tickets go on sale September 10 and can be purchased online using a QR code or by calling 1-833-642-4035. There are some early bird draws, but not a single pot. As Dyck references, 23 winning tickets will be picked at various stages of the lottery, and all 48 participating organizations benefit from monies raised.
Of course, ticket-buyers can specify upon purchase that they’d like their contribution to go towards South East Helping Hands. The support, Dyck says, would be welcome.
“Right now we need funds to keep operating,” he explains. “As much as we love all the food that comes in, we also need funds. The building doesn’t run on air, and we have repairs that have to be done on freezers – stuff like that.”
A food assistance organization located in Steinbach, South East Helping Hands has been providing food hampers to between 375 and 450 families every two weeks this summer, and they expect the number to grow and the weather gets cooler.
“If you win, you can come to our place,” says Dyck. “We have a big empty check sitting and waiting just for you.”
One Great Lottery’s 48 participating charities, as well as contest rules and deadlines, can be viewed on their website. South East Helping Hands is located at 525 Main St in Steinbach and can be reached by calling (204) 326-2599.