RANKIN INLET - Well-known soccer personality Eddy Sandy of Rankin Inlet knew he had to do something to try and make a difference in his community this Christmas.

Eddy Sandy of Rankin Inlet displays some of the items turned in during a food drive at the regional soccer championship in Rankin earlier this month. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

Sandy really took notice this past winter of how many people were struggling to put food on the table during the holiday season, and how many others were working hard to make that happen.

The community's efforts to support the local RCMP detachment with its annual Christmas Food Hamper have continued to rise during the past few years.

Sandy decided he wanted to support the annual RCMP food drive, and came up with the idea of using soccer tournaments as a way of raising food items.

His first attempt during the regional under-17 event earlier this month produced two boxes of food items.

For every item a person dropped off during the event, they received one ticket on a lottery draw for prizes of $50, $100, $150 and $200.

Sandy hopes the response will be higher during the weekend of Nov. 13, when 14 teams from across Nunavut come to Rankin to compete for the territorial under-15 boy's championship.

"I thought we could do something a little different and try to help the RCMP with the food hamper," said Sandy.

"We have all these people coming to watch the games, so, if we can get them to bring some non-perishable food items to the games, we could do well with this.

"The first one was a good start, but I'm hoping we can do better in November.

"Some people were a bit confused on where to bring the food, and we didn't have much notice time, so we want to get the message out loud and clear this time."

Sandy paid the $50 for a lottery licence out of his own pocket for the first drive.

He said it's time for more people in the community to step up and help everyone enjoy the holiday season.

"I want the community to understand Christmas is just around the corner and it's time to start helping out and get it done.

"That way everyone's happy throughout the Christmas season.

"I gave the RCMP a letter of my intent to hold the food drives, and it was very happy to receive the help.

"Now it's time for everybody to help out and make them, and the whole community, even happier."