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Popular downtown initiative bolsters Stettler Food Bank donations

Wells Furniture and Brenda’s Cozy Cafe are gearing up for the third annual Food Bank Drive May 29th, 30th and 31st
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Brenda Brinson of Brenda’s Cozy Cafe and Bernie Jackson of Wells Furniture are preparing to host their third annual Food Bank Drive May 29th, 30th and 31st. Mark Weber/Stettler Independent

It’s that time of year again for a friendly show-down between two local businesses on Main Street.

Who can gather the most donations for the Stettler Food Bank over a three-day period?

A few years back, Brenda Brinson of Brenda’s Cozy Cafe noticed a list of things needed at the Food Bank, and the idea for a food bank drive came to mind as a perfect means of generating further support for the cause.

She teamed up with Bernie Jackson of Wells Furniture right across the street for a friendly ‘battle’ to see who could gather up the most donations. This year marks the women’s third year for hosting the event.

“We each park a truck in front of our businesses for those three days (May 29th, 30th and 31st) and then we declare a winner,” she explained. “Bernie wins every year, but hey, if you have to be second to somebody then being second to Bernie is not a bad thing.

“There is not a better person on this planet than Bernie for community (support).

“The loser has to wear these cow ears for a full day,” she added with a laugh. “People look at me funny, and I then have to say, I lost the battle - again. Last year, I swore that I might have Bernie’s truck towed this year, so that might happen,” she joked. “It could happen. I think that’s the only way that I’m going to win!”

Of course, perhaps this year it will be Bernie’s turn to sport the cow ears.

And just what would happen if Bernie were to lose?

“Well, we haven’t had that problem yet,” said Brenda.

Meanwhile, the food bank drive has proven to be a major success story from the start.

“I know it was truckloads of food gathered last year,” recalled Bernie. “We even hold it in the rain. One year, we were tarping as they were bringing in the food.” It’s also an important time to gather donations for the Stettler Food Bank as the summer months can tend to be a bit slower.

Happily, it’s becoming something of a popular community tradition.

“I have people asking, ‘Are you and Bernie doing the battle again’,” said Brenda. “Bernie and I are good friends, but we get into the whole ‘duking it out’ spirit of it,” she laughed.

And ultimately, the community support for the initiative is truly encouraging.

Bernie agreed. “It’s awesome,” she said. “The support is phenomenal.”

For more information, call Wells Furniture at 403-742-3223 or Brenda’s Cozy Cafe at 403-742-8166.



Mark Weber

About the Author: Mark Weber

I've been a part of the Black Press Media family for about a dozen years now, with stints at the Red Deer Express, the Stettler Independent, and now the Lacombe Express.
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