Over $25,000 Raised For Local Food Banks

Kawartha Lakes, ON (May 2023) – The Fourth Annual Jump in the Lake Challenge (JILC) on Saturday, May 6 was an overwhelming success and raised over $25,000 for local foodbanks in Coboconk and Haliburton.

Unlike other organized Polar Bear Dips, participants jumped into the frigid early May waters from their own docks or local piers.

A few hundred generous donors helped 35 participants raise the much-needed funds.

“This year’s Jump in the Lake Challenge will have a significant, positive impact on the Coboconk and Area Foodbank (CAFB) for the next year,” said CAFB chairperson Amy Alfredsson. “With more than $16,000 in cash donations collected and more still coming in, the JILC has provided the funds to pay for all of the food bank’s meat purchases over the next twelve months.”

Alfredsson, who jumped into a frigid Balsam Lake herself, added the foodbank would not exist without generous community support.

“As a privately funded fully volunteer-run food bank, these donations are both welcome and needed at a time when both food insecurity and food costs are at their highest.” 

There is still time to donate at www.kawarthalakeside.com and click “Get Involved”

In four years the annual Jump in the Lake Challenge has raised over $150,000 for the local community.

“We continue to be amazed how our community has embraced what has now become a fun, annual event,” said JILC founder Dean Michel. “When you combine brave individuals and generous donors, good things happen to make a difference in people’s lives”

Save the date for the 5th Annual Jump in the Lake Challenge: Saturday, May 4, 2024. It will be out of this world.

Jump in the Lake Challenge

Dean Michel

416-889-2963 / dean@century21granite.com 

kawarthalakeside.com

Coboconk and Area Food Bank

Amy Alfredsson

705 344-4807 / coboconkfoodbank@gmail.com

coboconkfoodbank.org