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Hometown for Hunger raises over $11,500
Denham Ford’s 10th anniversary Hometown for Hunger event was the biggest and proudest year yet, raising over $11,500 to support the Cranbrook Salvation Army’s local food programs and highlighting Cranbrook’s amazing community spirit!
Every dollar raised from the August 13 event will be permanently invested in the StellerVista Credit Union Endowment Fund with the Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies (CFKR), giving the Cranbrook Salvation Army annual funding—forever—to keep local food programs running strong.
Each and every week, the Cranbrook Salvation Army provides approximately 720 school lunches to local students, 325 on-site community meals, and 200 meals delivered to people who are unable to leave their homes.
According to Major Rick Robins of the Cranbrook Salvation Army, “Overall, we provide about 5,000 meals per month in the City of Cranbrook. With the need in the community continuing to grow, and food prices on the rise, every dollar counts, and we sincerely appreciate all the support from the community.”
Steve Zsillei, Denham Ford Marketing Manager/Sales and event co-organizer said, “Our 2025 event marked 10 incredible years of Hometown for Hunger, which truly is a community party with a purpose: to tackle hunger and care for our neighbours.”
Zsillei stated, “A huge thank you to Sandor Rentals for their generous support, Hargreaves Mechanical for filling the dunk tank, Culligan for the ice, Prestige Inn for towels, Trailmaker Media for the electronic sign, and Tim Hortons for the TimBits.”
‘Local celebrity’ dunk tank participants included Sven Sloeserwij (pictured above) from Cranbrook Tourism, Kayla May from Pattison Media Rewind Radio, Kim Levie from the Rockin’ in the Rockies Car Club, and Cranbrook RCMP S/Sgt. Barry Graham.
The Denham Ford team raised $750 to ensure that GM Rene Kowalchuk maintained his long record of taking a turn in the ice-cold dunk tank.
For the 2025 event, Denham Ford and StellarVista Credit Union each generously matched donations up to $1,000.
In the Timbit eating contest, Lisa Barnes, CFKR Board Chair, graciously relinquished her two-year title to Corey Ford, a member of the Denham Ford team.
Lynnette Wray, CFKR Executive Director, shared her heartfelt thanks and appreciation: “Wow! Cranbrook showed up in a big way for this event, with generosity and kindness, to fight hunger in our community, now and forever.
“For this 10th anniversary event, the community spirit was amazing, from bubbles, face painting, and chalk art in the Kid Zone to the ever-popular ice-cold dunk tank and the 18 vintage cars from the Rockin’ in the Rockies Car Club Cranbrook BC, with fantastic eats from Mr. Mike’s, Gouda Vibes and Carlisle’s Grill & Chill Cafe, all to help The Salvation Army – Cranbrook feed kids at school, families at home, and folks in need.”
“Very special thanks to Steve Zsillei and Rene Kowalchuk from Denham Ford for 10 years of dedication and commitment to this important community cause,” added Wray.
Donations are still being accepted for this year’s Hometown for Hunger event, with several options for individuals and businesses to make a tax-receiptable charitable donation:
Credit card donations via this link… or
E-Transfer: to [email protected], Including “H4H-2025” in the notes, as well as the donor’s email address, mailing address, and phone number
Cheque: Made out to “CFKR”, noting “H4H-2025” in the memo, including the donor’s email address and phone number, Mailed to CFKR at Box 242, Cranbrook, BC, V1C 4H8 or delivered to the CFKR office in the Ground Floor Coworking Space at 131 7th Ave. S., Cranbrook
Cash: Delivered to the CFKR office in the Ground Floor Coworking Space at 131 7th Ave. S., Cranbrook.
Employer-Matching Donation Programs: Some employers have a program to match employees’ charitable donations, through a service such as Benevity. This is a quick and easy way to potentially double the value of your donation!
Lead image: Steve Zsillei (Denham Ford/event organizer) and Shannon Fisher (Top Crop Garden, Farm, & Pet). Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies
Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies photos
