Inuvik (Oct 11/04) - The Inuvik food bank and Northmart have come up with an easy way for shoppers to help the less fortunate.

Doug Robertson, president of the Inuvik food bank, said they are optimistic the new campaign, Give the Gift of Hope, will see a steady flow of donations to the cause.

From left: Northmart manager Cliff Stringer, food bank manager Doug Robertson and food bank representative and Northmart employee Kevin Murphy are ready for Inuvik's Give the Gift of Hope campaign at the store. - Dorothy Westerman/NNSL photo

"It allows shoppers at Northmart to make a painless donation to the food bank by adding a two dollar donation to their grocery bill," Robertson said.

"It's something that we've seen in some southern locations," he added.

Kevin Murphy, a food bank representative and an employee of Northmart, suggested the idea could be implemented in the Inuvik store. "People can come in and make their donations here. Every checkout is covered," Murphy said.

Robertson said for those who often mean to purchase a few extra supplies for the food bank, yet forget until they reach the checkout, the program is a great idea.

"It's a relatively small donation. If you are in buying $100 worth of groceries, then two dollars doesn't seem like a large donation but it certainly adds up," Robertson said.

And as long as the donations are coming in, he said the program will stay in place.

Because it is a new initiative, Robertson said there are no expectations as to how much money will be raised.

"We're hoping it will become a regular habit of customers."

Cliff Stringer, manager of the Inuvik Northmart, said aside from collecting donations for the food bank, this initiative is the first of its kind at the store.

"And now we are trying to get more involved with other ways of trying to do things for the food bank and the community," Stringer said.

Serves about 500 people

"We have a member of our team on the food bank and his crew gave us some ideas, so with Kevin's knowledge of the food bank we decided to get involved and help out the community the best we can.

Stringer said the shopper making the donation can write his or her name on the card provided, which will then be displayed on a wall at the store.

"We thought it was a great idea to help," Stringer said.

Robertson said the Inuvik food bank has 180 members and serves a total of about 500 people.