When Four Rivers Co-Op file clerk Colleen Cave won a company gift card to their in-house grocery store in Quesnel, B.C., she knew exactly what she wanted to serve: a main course of charity with a side dish of gratitude.

A Miracle

Colleen received the $750 shopping spree and spent it all on stocking the shelves for the Quesnel Salvation Army food bank. Quesnel’s Co-Op branch manager, Catherine Shore, explained that the company has internal incentives like this, and “Colleen was recognized for excellent customer service, winning this gift card, but she told us, ‘You know what? I don’t need the groceries, but I do know who does.’ ”

Colleen says, simply, “I’ve used it, and not many people know that, but I know how important it is.” She said that now, in more abundant times, “I do lots of canning and food prepping, so I’m really good.”

Colleen and Catherine’s delivery filled most of a pickup with the food that gift certificate bought, and they brought it to the food bank, where Salvation Army employees Loretta Cameron and Linda Sawatsky were excited to receive it on behalf of the many hungry families and individuals who would be in need of it.

“You see miracles here, sometimes,” says Linda. “This is one of those times when we were starting to wonder about our supply, and in comes this wonderful and unexpected contribution. We are so thankful. What a beautiful gesture.”

Reprinted from Quesnel Cariboo Observer, June 18, 2023