An evening of St. Patrick’s inspired fun returns to the Town and Country Centre March 18 for the Airdrie Food Bank’s (AFB) 13th annual Shamrock Shimmy fundraiser event.
Though generous third parties host most of the fundraising events held for the AFB, Quinn Donaldson, general manager of the AFB, said the Shamrock Shimmy has remained one of two fundraising events the food bank puts on each year.
“It’s a fun night for people to get out, spend some time with some friends as well as give back to the community,” she said. “People really enjoy it and it’s always a great time.”
In 2016, the Shamrock Shimmy raised approximately $25,000, which she said were funneled directly into programs and services offered by the AFB. That same year also happened to be the AFB’s busiest, feeding more than 32,000 people.
“We’ve seen, in the last two years, our numbers double in terms of how many hampers we’re giving out a week,” Donaldson said.
With only 4.4 per cent of AFB funding coming from the government, Donaldson said the food bank would not exist if it weren’t for the generosity of the community.
That generosity comes through in many ways, she said, whether it’s leaving that box of spaghetti in the donation bin, making a financial donation or attending events such as the Shamrock Shimmy.
“The food bank belongs to the community,” she said. “We could not do it without (that) support.”
Doors at the Town and Country Centre open for the Shamrock Shimmy at 6 p.m. and a full roast beef dinner will be served at 7 p.m.
The event also includes a live and silent auction with items donated by local businesses, according to Donaldson.
The AFB encourages everyone to dress in their St. Patty’s best. Live Irish tunes will open the dancing portion of the night and then a DJ will take over.
Tickets for the Shamrock Shimmy are $50 each or $350 for a table of eight and can be purchase at the AFB or by calling 403-946-0063. The event has sold out in previous years, so Donaldson recommends buying tickets sooner rather than later.
“You don’t want to miss out on the best St. Patty’s party there is,” she said.
