Cowichan Valley Capitals fans will have two ways to help the community when the B.C. Hockey League team takes on the Prince George Spruce Kings on Saturday.
The Caps will be holding the BCHL’s First West Coast Credit Union Five Hole for Food Challenge that night, along with the team’s own annual Teddy Bear Toss.
Five Hole for Food is a friendly competition among all BCHL teams to see who can raise the most for their local food bank. Nine teams have already hosted their events, including the Caps’ arch-rivals, the Nanaimo Clippers, who collected 5,513 pounds of food which will go to their partners at the Loaves & Fishes Community Food Bank in Nanaimo. The current leaders in the challenge are the Merritt Centennials, who collected 5,689 pounds of food on Nov. 18. Last season’s winners of the Challenge were the Vernon Vipers, who raised 6,877 pounds on their date.
Over the last three seasons, more than 110,000 pounds of food has been raised for food banks in B.C. and Washington.
“This is our fourth year running the Five Hole for Food Challenge and each time, we’ve managed to top the total from the previous season,” said BCHL communications director Brent Mutis. “The support we’ve seen from fans and sponsors, as well as the hard work by players and team staff, has made this a success. I’m confident we can post an even bigger number this year.”
The same night as the Five Hole for Food Challenge, the Caps will hold their annual Teddy Bear Toss. Fans are encouraged to bring a stuffed animal to throw on the ice when the Caps score their first goal of the evening. Toys will be distributed in the community.