K-W Oktoberfest donates 50K meals to Food Bank of Waterloo Region

Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest has announced it raised money through it's Oktoberfest Cares program to provide 50,000 meals for The Food Bank of Waterloo Region.

While it's lower from the 2019 total of 68,000 meals, K-W Oktoberfest president Tim Beckett says organizers were please with the final count.

"Even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, when so many of our regular events were not able to happen, it was important that our festival continue to support the community," Beckett said in a news release. "We are so proud of Waterloo region for opening up both their hearts and their wallets for those in our community who need it."

The annual festival would normally collect donations during the Thanksgiving Day parade, but it was cancelled this year due to COVID-19 gathering restrictions, and that forced organizers to reinvent the program.

Beckett says online donations and sales of the 2020 pin made a difference in collecting $16,831. 

Wendi Campbell, CEO of The Food Bank of Waterloo Region, said in the release "it has been heartwarming to see the community rally in support."

"As one of the longest running fundraiser in our community, the Onkel Hands Food Drive will help provide emergency food assistance to more than 33,000 people in Waterloo region during and beyond the pandemic," Campbell said.