Cambridge Bay (Mar 31/03) - Three weeks ago, the Cambridge Bay Food Bank's cupboards were bare. Recreation director Dave Wiseman knew something had to be done.

"When I found out about the food bank it was something I wanted to jump on right away. We turned it into a real success story," he said.

Wiseman was hired as the community recreation director only a few weeks ago and the food bank was his first real challenge.

A resident of Cambridge Bay since August, it was also his first opportunity to see how the community comes together in a crisis.

"It shows what a community can do when they are down and out. I was very proud of the community," said Wiseman.

His first step was to approach the Cambridge Bay fire department. He had an idea that was a sure-fire donation getter.

"I approached the fire department to hold a beauty pageant," said Wiseman.

The idea was to get the firefighters to dress up as women and do a fashion show to help raise money and donations.

"They looked at me and I think they were ready to beat me up," he said.

The fire department replied by telling Wiseman they would help him canvass the community for donations.

"From there it went like a snowball and then a major blizzard," said Wiseman.

He said every business in town and the hamlet contributed something to the cause. The Nassituq Corporation donated $10,000 worth of food alone.

Now the food bank is stocked up for the next eight months, according to Wiseman.

"We'll get a chance to build on that. We will not let it run that low again," he said.

Wiseman said, however, he is still going to try and get the beauty pageant going with the fire department later this summer.

"I'd even go into it with them," he said.

The food bank serves approximately 100 of Cambridge Bay's 1,600 residents, said Wiseman.