Local skier raises funds for kids’ healthy snacks

Southern Frontenac Community Services | Jan 27, 2016

Seven years ago, the Southern Frontenac food bank was nothing but a few shelves in a closet in one tiny office. Now, thanks to dedicated volunteers – currently over 20 – and community support, it provides food for over 50 families in need every month. For the past year, the food bank has provided healthy snacks and lunches for school children, and local skier Dave Linton, wants to see that continue.

“Super Dave,” as he is called by his close friends, feels strongly that feeding children healthy snacks helps them learn and perform better, and he will be competing in a 51 km cross-country ski marathon in the Gatineau Hills in late February to raise funds for the snack program, which is not eligible to receive external funding support this year.

“As the food bank grew, it became eligible for grants from the Ontario Association of Food Banks,” states Dave, whose wife, Jennifer Linton, founded the food bank and volunteers as the warehouse coordinator, “A year ago the food bank accessed funding to enhance its existing children’s snack program with fresh food items. Unfortunately, those funds are no longer available this year.”

The school snack program provides healthy and fun snacks to children in families with limited incomes to ensure kids receive the fuel they need for their bodies and brains to succeed. For five years, the food bank has been providing children with non-perishable snacks, such as pudding and applesauce. In 2015, thanks to the one time grant, these snacks were enhanced with perishable items like yogurt, cheese, grape tomatoes, baby carrots, and celery, making them even healthier. The cost of these purchased items is about $4 per snack, with an annual cost of over $2,400.

A 51 km international level ski race sounds daunting enough, but it can be especially challenging if you are 75 years old. “I’m an advocate of daily exercise and physical activity,” says Dave, “I’ve been able to compete at this level for a long time and still hold my own. I’m excited to race again this year and dedicate it to this cause.”

Dave – a long-time volunteer with SFCSC – has a goal of raising $2,500 to support and enhance the kids’ healthy school snack program. “At 75 years old, this may be my final Loppet of this magnitude,” says Dave, “I want to dedicate it to helping kids in our community achieve greatness, and often that starts most simply, with active living and nutritious food.”

Dave is challenging his friends, family, local businesses and the community in general to support his fundraising efforts by pledging to donate an amount per kilometre, or a flat rate donation. “I’m also offering to wear logos of businesses who want to sponsor my race and support this cause,” offers Dave.

To support Dave, you can reach him at 613-376-6883, drop in to the food bank at 4419 George Street in Sydenham or go to his fundraising campaign page: www.sfcsc.ca/superdave.

Dave adds, “If this international race is cancelled for any reason, I’ll ask sponsors to continue to support me in a 100km kayak relay race from Kingston to Smiths Falls.” Super Dave indeed!