WITH the help of 80 businesses regionwide, more than 4000 cans were donated to Foodbank SA Riverland, as part of Magic 93.1’s ‘Get your cans out’ event.
Magic 93.1 breakfast hosts Scudda and Maddie hosted a Riverland Foodbank Food Drive last Friday, with the idea to ask the Riverland to donate cans to the cause and form a line of cans across the Berri Oval.
Maddie said the duo sparked the idea after talk of a can drive she participated in at school.
“When I was in school, all the house teams participated in a food drive to see how many cans we could collect for charity,” she said.
“Through everything that’s happening with COVID, we wanted to do whatever we could to help families in need, so we thought by collaborating with other businesses and the wider community, we could make a difference.”
Maddie said initially she and Scudda had the idea to place cans around the perimeter of the oval, but decided going from goal post to goal post was best.
“It was a lot of work to line up the cans and it took a lot out of us,” she said.
“At first we were worried thinking that we’d be 10 metres short, but people kept coming and dropping off cans and within four hours, we had actually formed two lines from one end of the oval to the other.”
The duo thanked those involved.
“We are so grateful for the community’s support and for everyone who helped out on the day,” Maddie said.
“A family came all the way from Blanchetown to donate some cans and they ended up staying behind to help us pack up.
“The day went perfectly and we’re just so appreciative.”
Foodbank SA Riverland branch manager Peter Smith said he was “overwhelmed” by the support.
“When Scudda and Maddie came to me, I thought it was a fantastic idea,” he said.
“I had never seen anything like this before and I was amazed at how many people donated.
“I wasn’t expecting one line to be completed, let alone two.
“All up we had two tonnes of cans, so that will help feed a lot of local families.
“We need this now more than ever and I’m so grateful.
“Cans have already been distributed to the community and it feels good to help those in need.”