Don Cameron Potato Night to take place Friday, January 27 at the Aud

This year’s Don Cameron Potato Night, kick‐off event to the month-long February Potato Blitz, is extra special as they celebrate 20 years of sharing the gift of food with our neighbours in need. Fans are invited to mark this occasion with generosity by dropping off cash donations and potatoes on their way into the game at the Aud on Friday, January 27th at 7:30pm when the Rangers take on the North Bay Battalion.

“Spuddy and I are inspired by all that Don Cameron, the Kitchener Rangers, and their fans have given to our community,” said John Neufeld, Executive Director of House of Friendship. “Approximately 450,000 pounds of spuds have been raised to assist hungry neighbours over the years and we are excited to celebrate 20 years of generosity on January 27th.”

The February Potato Blitz Campaign focuses community efforts on sharing the gift of food with our neighbours in need by collecting potatoes and donations throughout the month of February. Why potatoes? Each year, House of Friendship uses over 300,000 pounds of potatoes in its emergency food hampers and food assistance for program patrons. When the potatoes run out, cash donations are used to buy more potatoes at 20 cents per pound, stretching donor dollars even further.

Don Cameron Potato Night is the first of three February Potato Blitz events. On Saturday, February 4th, shoppers in the Kitchener-Waterloo area can also “put hunger on the bench” and drop off cash donations and spuds at 28 participating super market locations during the Super Market Potato Blitz from 9am – 3pm.

Lastly, share the gift of food at the Community Potato Lunch on Friday, February 24th at 12pm – 1pm at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Kitchener. Everyone is welcome to enjoy a delicious potato lunch ‐ a wonderful array of potato dishes that will be sure to satisfy. There is no cost for lunch, but donations will be gratefully accepted.

At other times, cash donations and spuds can be given at the Emergency Food Hamper Program at 807 Guelph St., Kitchener, (Monday ‐ Friday, 9:30am – 4pm) and at the Charles Street Men’s Shelter at 63 Charles St., E., Kitchener (anytime). Donations can also be made on‐line at www.houseoffriendship.org or mailed to House of Friendship, P.O. Box 1837, Station C, Kitchener, N2G 4R3.

To find out how your group, faith community or workplace can share the gift of food and host its own February Potato Blitz event, please contact Dawn Gill at 519‐742‐8327 x 119 or visit www.houseoffriendship.org.

WHO: Don Cameron, the Kitchener Rangers and House of Friendship
WHAT: 20th annual Don Cameron Potato Night in support of House of Friendship’s 22nd annual February Potato Blitz
WHEN: Friday, January 27, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Kitchener Memorial Auditorium, 400 East Ave., Kitchener
WHY: To help feed neighbours in need

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Founded on January 15, 1939, House of Friendship envisions building a healthy community where all can belong and thrive. To fulfill this vision, House of Friendship works to strengthen people and communities by being there when needed, speaking up and working together. Each year, House of Friendship serves over 42,000 people, who are living on low income in Waterloo Region, through four program areas that focus on:

• Supporting Healthy Lives (Addiction Services)
• Assisting and Feeding Those In Need (Community Services)
• Building Strong Families and Strong Communities (Family Services)
• Providing Shelter and Supportive Housing (Residential Services)

For more information, please contact:
John Neufeld
Executive Director
House of Friendship
t: 519‐742‐8327 x123
e: [email protected]
Dawn Gill
Development Officer
House of Friendship
t: 519‐742‐8327 x119
e: [email protected]