The Dione Irwin Real Estate Team will be teaming up with various local businesses to hold its 6th annual Pumpkin Exchange to help the Airdrie Food Bank on Oct. 23.
“We've been doing real estate in Airdrie for 13 years now and I really wanted to find a way to help give back,” said Irwin in a recent interview. “And one of the ways we thought would be great is to try to collect food for the food bank to give back to some of our Airdrie residents. I believe in giving back to the community that supports us.”
The concept is simple and fun, says Irwin. Those interested in taking part contact the Dione Irwin team through their social media channels or via email at [email protected], and let them know how many pumpkins, up to two, they want.
On Monday, Oct. 23, team members and other participating volunteers drop off food collection bags for food bank donations. On Tuesday, Oct. 24 volunteers swing by and drop off the requested pumpkins and pick up the filled bags of donated food to take to the food bank.
“We'll be driving all over Airdrie to collect the food and leave pumpkins. So it's they're giving to us, and we're trying to give something back with a pumpkin for the kids to carve, or to decorate their front steps.”
While various local businesses are taking part in helping out the Pumpkin Exchange, Irwin gave special credit to Play Unleashed, which grew many of the pumpkins for them this year, and the Sierra Springs Co-op, which provided the rest.
Last year’s Pumpkin Exchange saw 300 pumpkins distributed and 1,755 pounds of food collected, enough to provide 2,250 meals to local families in need.
Irwin said she is concerned the number of exchange participants seems down a bit this year so far, even though the need may even be greater now.
“This year our numbers aren’t as high,” she stated. “I know it's maybe a little harder for people to give, so we're really asking for people to find it somewhere, to find a little bit of extra food and just really help us out because the (food bank) shelves are getting kind of empty.
“I know all of us are feeling it this year, but I know there's still room for us to give,” Irwin added. “That's what I just keep hoping and believing.”
For more information on how to sign up for the Dione Irwin Real Estate Team Pumpkin Exchange visit their Facebook page or email them at [email protected].
