The Mustard Seed Street Church drew an enthusiastic crowd of ball hockey players of all ages to Mayfair shopping centre for the fifth annual Five Hole for Food drive.
Eighteen teams, including ones from the Saanich and Victoria police and fire departments, took part in games on rinks set up on the mall’s main parking lot.
In addition to non-perishable food items, last year’s event raised $10,000, a total organizers hope to surpass when the final tally is counted.
The money will go toward supporting programs at the Hospitality Home, which provides counselling for people dealing with poverty and addiction issues and the Hospitality Centre, which provides job skills training. Some of the funds are earmarked for Hope Farm Healing Centre in Duncan.
Kelcy Snyckers, marketing and event co-ordinator for the Mustard Seed Street Church, said services are aimed at finding solutions that deal with the root causes of poverty and addiction.
Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps, who officially opened the event, thanked volunteers, organizers, participants and donors for their support for the Mustard Seed Street Church.
It’s an exciting event for the Mustard Seed,” Helps said. “It’s so much more than food. It’s about building community.”