CBC Calgary's annual Blitz Day underway to raise funds for Calgary Food Bank
CBC
'Tis the season for music, stories and raising funds for the Calgary Food Bank — as CBC Calgary hosts its annual Blitz Day Thursday.
Blitz Day is a tradition for CBC Calgary, during which readers, listeners and viewers are invited down to the station at 1000 Veterans Place N.W. for a full day of special programming, live music and studio tours.
This is the 38th year CBC Calgary has supported the Calgary Food Bank. So far $500,307.83 has been raised, but that number is expected to grow as Calgarians stop by throughout the day to drop off their donations.
Melissa From, Calgary Food Bank president and CEO, said they've seen increased demand for their services in recent years, but Albertans continue to show their support.
"Even though I speak about the increases in demand and the increase in need in our community, Calgary has stepped up and consistently made sure that we always have the resources we need to support the community," she said.
"I have no doubt that what we're going to see on Thursday is just another example of Calgary supporting Calgary."
Helen Henderson, CBC Calgary's senior director of journalism and programming, said it's been a tough year for a lot of Albertans.
"Whether it's sharing acts of kindness, or getting us to our million-dollar fundraising goals, we're so grateful to be able to make things a bit brighter with the help of our amazing audiences."
Throughout the day Thursday, Calgarians have the chance to meet the hosts of our radio programs, the Calgary Eyeopener, provincial show Alberta at Noon and The Homestretch.
Eyeopener host Loren McGinnis said the energy on Blitz Day is incredible.
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"We always feel that connection, but it's so special to open our doors and to get to see people and to see this generosity," he said.
"I remember last year, honestly being overwhelmed by people's generosity. Some of that was large scale generosity. Some of that was smaller and very personal. There's also this kind of joyful, seasonal, jingle-bells intensity to it, which is really fun."
Just after 6 a.m., Eyeopener's astronomy watcher, Don Hladiuk, will be on location with his telescope set up, and people can stop by and look at the sky with him.
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