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Floor hockey charity event provides food for first nation families

A cheap afternoon of hockey, music and celebrations could help to put food on the table for families in need.

The family service team at the Native Friendship Centre and the NIL/TU’O Child and Family Services have teamed up to face off in a floor hockey tournament open to the public this weekend. The hope is the event will bring in much needed food and cash donations for the people accessing the services.

“All of our families are always in desperate need of food,” said the Friendship Centre’s Kerra Downey. “A lot of our families have lost their children to the ministry or are working to keep their children, that sort of thing, so their finances are cut down to absolutely nothing.”

Downey is one of the organizers of the Sports 4 Support floor hockey tournament set to run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 11 at Pearkes Recreation Centre.

For a $2 donation or non-perishable food items, the public can join either the Child and Family Services team or the Friendship Centre team in a round robin-style tournament.

Gameplay will pause mid-day for lunch. Tacos made from bannock will be sold in support of the services. There will also be door prizes and entertainment – traditional songs and drumming.

The event will start and end with prayers from an elder and a youth member.

Pre-registration is recommended and participants must be a minimum of 13-years-old.

“Anything we can do to promote getting food for our families is just a really good thing,” Downey said.

nnorth@saanichnews.com