Titans play hockey for a cause, netting cash and food

Times Photo By Meg Noguchi Taber Figure Skating Club flag bearers at the event.

By Cal Braid
Taber Times
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Taber Titans hosted a Face Off Against Hunger charity event on March 9 to support the Taber Food Bank. The cost of admission was a cash or food donation at the arena. Mayor Andrew Prokop said that in recent months demand at the food bank has increased “substantially,” but the event was both successful and fun. The event raised $4,838.25 and a haul of 453 lbs of food.

“All things considered it was a lot of legwork for the many volunteers and donors involved. It was very well received. We had a lot of fun with it.” he said, noting that a crowd of about 500 showed up to support the cause. Four Town councillors attended and the mayor laced up his own skates as a guest player for the Titans. “For me, after two years of not being on the ice, it was a little difficult, but I managed to get through it. Thank you so much for the support and all involved for supporting the Taber Food Bank and the Taber Titans.” He said there’s already talk of making it an annual event.

The Taber Titans organization creates an equal opportunity for families and youth who want to participate in minor sports. It has contributed to local baseball, football, hockey, dance, gymnastics, volleyball, and basketball. On March 9, the Titans assembled a team for the charity and played against Taber Minor Hockey, the Fading Sons and the Police and friends squads.

Prokop said Reeve Tamara Miyanaga of the MD was instrumental in organizing the event, and council responded to her letter of request to waive the $255 fee for the ice rental. Miyanaga said, “This event aims to raise both funds and awareness about food insecurity in our community. Taber Titans is a local charity, giving back to the community for sport fund relief in all minor sporting activities. They look to ease the financial burden through all sports in all ages. The Titan’s (recognized that) the families they support may also face food insecurity, prompting the idea for this collaborative event. As the demands on the Food Bank continue to increase, it is only sustainable with support through fundraising and ever important community donations. Keeping the Taber Food Bank top of mind is vital in ensuring ongoing assistance to those in need.”

She said that though it’s “not normal protocol to request a fee waiver,” doing so would help keep fundraising costs to a minimum. Coun. Remfert made a motion to waive the fee and use $255 from the council discretionary fund to grant the request. Council voted unanimously in favour.

Coun.(s) Brewin and McLean praised the event and Brewin quipped, “I believe the icing on the cake was when the mayor was fed the puck so he could score a goal.” The mayor chuckled and said, “Hey, you get yourself in the slot and good things happen.”