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INUVIK - A contest at the NorthMart is giving shoppers the chance to win a little post-holiday cash while donating to a good cause.

NorthMart is holding 50-50 draws aimed at helping the Inuvik Food Bank buy groceries for its clients.

NorthMart manager Cliff Stringer and Inuvik Food Bank vice chair Jennifer Cockney pick a winner for the first 50-50 draw at NorthMart. The draw gives $1,250 to the winner and $1,250 to the food bank. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

Lucy Kay won the first $1,250 prize.

She said she was surprised when her phone rang, with the manager informing her of the draw win.

"It's really nice," she said.

Kay said she was at NorthMart shopping for groceries when she noticed the draw.

"I entered once, thinking it was a good thing to help the food bank," she said.

Kay said she plans on paying bills with the winnings and said she would continue to donate to the food bank.

NorthMart manager Cliff Stringer said the idea had been in the works for a while and started taking entries in November.

"We reached our goal very quickly," said Stringer.

He said a draw will take place each time the store raises $2,500.

Stringer said he got the idea from a grocery store back in Newfoundland.

"They had the same idea and it worked out well for their food bank, so I wanted to try it here," he said.

Food bank vice chair Jennifer Cockney said the help from NorthMart is important for their cause.

"We asked Cliff if we could put our donation boxes at the end of every cashier, and he came up with the idea of the 50-50 draw," said Cockney.

Before the promotion could begin, Stringer needed approval from head office in Winnipeg.

"Once he got that, we got the ball rolling," said Cockney.

Initial meetings started in October, with the draw starting shortly after.

Cockney said the shopping for the food bank can be costly due to the high number of clients using their service.

According to chair Bob Mumford, the food bank is used by 500 people in town.

Cockney said its last shopping bill was $2,800.

"That usually lasts us two days of service," she said.

"This $1,250 will come in very handy."

During the holiday, Cockney said the food bank kept operations running on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

She was thankful to Stringer and the NorthMart donation.

"This will go a long way, we're grateful for the draw. It's a really good idea," she said.