With Thanksgiving approaching, and cooler weather and Christmas holidays following not long after, Sobeys of Steinbach is focussing on what it can do to serve disadvantaged people in southeast Manitoba.
“It’s a great event to help out the community,” says Franchise Owner Lee Kotowicz, referencing the grocery store’s annual Fall Food Drive, this October 5th and 6th. “It’s for a great cause, especially as it comes around Thanksgiving and as we get into fall and winter.”
Shoppers are invited to participate by purchasing a food hamper for $10 and leaving it in the donation bin. Hampers are pre-made, although Kotowicz points out that Sobeys customers are also welcome to spend their time hand-picking their hamper items.
“If you’re someone who likes to select the items, the great thing about being a grocery store is that we have everything you need and everything you might want to donate to this great cause,” he says.
For example, Steinbach shoppers may prefer to build a hamper with locally-sourced items. Thanks to Sobeys’ Local Supplier program, the Clearspring Centre store is always stocked with foods from the surrounding area.
“We’re huge on local, and this is another part of it,” explains Kotowicz. “We carry a lot of local products.”
It’s a commitment to community that Kotowicz and his team are excited to extend through the Fall Food Drive.
“Thanksgiving is a just a great time to show once again that we’re here to support the community, and we have food hampers ready to go,” he says. “We’re just glad we’re able to be a part of it.”
Steinbach’s Sobeys, located in the Clearspring Centre, is open 7am - 10pm Monday - Saturday and 12pm - 6pm Sunday. They can be reached by calling (204) 326-1316, and additional information is available on the store website.
“We’re hoping to see everybody come out on October 5th and 6th,” Kotowicz concludes.