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Quenched thirsts help stock food bank

Campaign raised more than $25,000
giant cheque
The Jak's Gives Back campaign on May 30 raised more than $25,000 for local food banks

The shelves at the Share food bank in Coquitlam will be just a little fuller thanks to a donation of $4,293.70.

The money is the proceeds from a recent fundraiser run by the two locations of JAK’s Beer Wine and Spirits stores in Coquitlam, as part of the province-wide JAK’s Gives Back campaign that pledged 10% of sales on May 30. In total, the 13 stores across the province raised more than $25,000 that was donated to local food banks.

Tim Dumas, JAK’s CEO, said the effort was particularly remarkable because the day was rainy and stormy — not the kind of weather conducive to enjoying a glass of wine or beer on the deck.

He said the annual campaign was held a month earlier than usual because of the overwhelming need created by job losses and financial strain brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our communities rallied behind JAK’s Gives Back this year like never before,” Dumas said, adding customers further helped by making additional donations to cashiers and purchasing the company’s special Gratitude wine, from which one dollar from every bottle sold during the month of May was added to the campaign.