The Tofield Mercury has officially launched its annual Fill the Tree fundraising campaign for 2025, in an effort to encourage the community to consider donating towards the Tofield Ryley and Area food bank this Christmas season.
What started out as a small front counter campaign decades ago has grown into a major fundraiser for Caribou Publishing newspapers. Each paper raises funds for its own unique food bank, which benefits hundreds in Beaver, Flagstaff, and Lamont counties.
Last year Tofield Mercury readers and customers stopped in or sent cheques as we filled the tree and raised $3,080. The total raised from all Caribou papers was over $30,000. This season with food banks low on supplies, the goal is to match or exceed that amount.
Those who donate $20 or more will receive a tax receipt, and all contributors will have their names added to the on the Fill the Tree promotional page that is printed in the paper each week. As the number of names grows, so does the amount of money for the food bank.
“Thanks to our amazing readers, every year seems to get bigger and better. We know times are tough for many Canadian families and there’s never more pressure than during the holidays,” said Eric Anderson, Tofield Mercury Associate Publisher.
Cash donations are already being accepted at The Tofield Mercury office.
Donations can also be mailed to Box 150, Tofield, AB, T0B 4J0. Cheques should be made payable directly to the ‘Tofield Ryley and Area Food Bank.’
Kari Janzen
Staff Reporter
