Raffle to help raise funds for Interfaith Food Bank

By Lethbridge Herald on January 22, 2026.

SUBMITTED PHOTO The Interfaith Food Bank is raising funds to help feed those in need through a Romance Raffle and members of the community have the opportunity to enjoy thousands of dollars in prices like last yearÕs winner Gail Lee. to enjoy thousands of dollars in prices like last year winner Gail Leortunity to enjoy thousands of dollars in prices like last year winner Gail Lee.

By Alejandra Pulido- Guzman

Lethbridge Herald

The Interfaith Food Bank is inviting community members to support them through a Romance Raffle just in time for Valentine’s Day. 

Executive Director Danielle McIntyre said that in 2025 they saw a seven per cent increase in the number of working people in need of their services, jumping from 23 per cent in 2024 to 30 per cent in just one year.  

“Last year we had a donor come forward and they had a beautiful diamond ring and asked us if we would like to use it for fundraising,” said McIntyre. 

She said last year’s raffle went over exceptionally well, and this year they have another ring to do a raffle with and they are hoping the community will respond as well as they did last year. 

“We know how hard it is for people to keep special traditions and celebrations alive when financial strains get in the way,” said McIntyre. “So, on top of raising some funds for our essential services to the community, we hope that this draw might help someone make a Valentine’s Day memory they’ll never forget.” 

She said the process to participate in the raffle is very simple. People can purchase tickets online for either single tickets or a three-ticket package. 

“We will be selling tickets until the day of the draw on Feb. 9 until noon and we will draw the winner in the afternoon, in time for people to make their Valentine’s plans,” said McIntyre. 

Those taking part of the raffle are being warned that the winner will be announced publicly just in case they are planning on keeping it a secret from their loved one. 

“We are doing a Live draw on Facebook. By law it is required that we have a public announcement of the winner to comply with our raffle license,” said McIntyre. 

She explained that since they are not having an event to announce the winner, to comply with the public announcement they are doing it on social media. 

For a price of $20 for a single ticket or $50 for a 3-ticket package, the winner will receive a Romance Package that includes a size 7.5, 1.45CT Diamond Wedding Band set in 14K White Gold valued at $6,275, a My Burberry Perfume valued at $175, plus, some romantic extras including flickering candles, elegant champagne glasses, sparkling brut, a blanket and hand soap with a total value of $6,550. 

“For the single tickets at $20 we have 250 tickets available and for the three-ticket package for $50, we have 300 packages of those available,” said McIntyre. “The total dollar value that we could raise would be $20,000 if every ticket sells.” 

She said this year with fundraising initiatives to ensure they can keep up with the rising demand for Emergency Food Supports. 

“It would be instrumental in keeping up with all the food purchases that are required to meet the demand here locally,” said McIntyre. 

She said they bring in the bulk of their support in the season of giving from Thanksgiving to Christmas and were very pleased with the Christmas campaign as they were able to meet their goals in 2025, but that money is how they can decide what they are able to offer in the following year. 

“That money from Christmas will tide us for a bit, but it’s very necessary for us to have consistent fund raising throughout the year to be able to keep up with all of the expenses that we have,” said McIntyre. 

Romance Raffle Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.rafflebox.ca/raffle/romance.