A fundraiser luncheon was held yesterday for the United Way complete with Macaroni and Cheese dishes and caesar salad auction. It was the first KD Gala held in Grande Prairie and Executive Director for United Way Alberta Northwest Brenda Yamkowy says the style of fundraiser was chosen to highlight poverty as some people rely on things like Kraft Dinner as a staple of their diet.
“Poverty is when people don’t have access to resources to maintain to living like housing and shelter, food or access to employment and financial security.”
She says one in 11 households in Grande Prairie falls below the poverty line and the rate for the elderly is higher than the provincial average.
Yamkowy says the key to ending poverty is education.
“I think the biggest thing is it has a major factor in health and it has a major impact on sense of being. It has an impact on the entire community.”
There was $2,700 raised during the event on January 30th. All funds raised will go towards their Poverty to Possibilities pillar which helps community programs.