INNISFAIL – It was a fine early summer day for the Market on Main at the Henday Mall in Innisfail.
The vendor booths were packed with customers looking for top grade fruits, vegetables, and crafts.
And there was a table with four-foot-tall Christmas tree.
It was Christmas in July at the Market on Main, organized by the Innisfail Festival of Trees team.
Longtime event coordinator Dale Dunham was busy cooking up free hamburgers for Market on Main attendees, who were also eligible to enter a contest for a prize.
Next to Dunham a table away was fellow Festival of Trees committee members Jasmine O’Donoghue and Jennifer Matichuk who were strategically standing by the Christmas Tree, just in case shoppers asked questions about why the iconic holiday winter season symbol was basking in summertime sun.
“When we had our meeting in December after our Festival of Trees we always donate to the food bank and we wanted to split up our donations to come in the summer because a lot of people donate to the food bank during the Christmas season but come the summertime their shelves are bare,” said O’Donoghue. “So, we decided to keep half of our money to donate in the summer.
“And then we thought, why don't we do a little event in the summer as well to bring more donations to the food bank?’’’ she added. “It's been great. It's been busy. We're very happy with the turnout so far.
“Overall, the response has been quite positive.”
By the end of the weekly Market on Main on July 8 more than $1,500 in cash had been raised, along with a bin of food and household items to support local citizens in need who rely on the Innisfail and Area Food Bank.
“We noticed the need was greater in the summertime than it is at Christmas due to the community support that we receive,” said Matichuk. “We really thought it was important to get an event going in the summertime, just to bring a little more light to the food bank, and maybe some more community support.”
Ted Fraser, a coordinator with the food bank, was at the inaugural Christmas in July fundraiser and was moved by the Festival of Trees organization to have a summertime fundraiser for his organization.
“We need donations year-round, and we appreciate what they've done. People forget about the food bank when it turns nice, and we still have kids and adults to feed,” said Fraser, noting the food bank also runs a summer lunch program.
“We have a basket we set up for any school kids. It'll continue all summer long,” said Fraser. “They go to the families to hand out. This year as well Paul Begg from No Frills Innisfail is donating fresh fruit to go with these baskets over the summer.
“We're very fortunate.”
