After months of Mother Nature’s blanket of snow, we enter the beautiful season of summer! I love the summers in my community: the early sunrise, the late sundown, even the occasional rain shower.

We often remember the financially vulnerable during the Christmas season with our amazing organizations promoting donation drives, but the needs are all year long. Edmonton’s Food Bank works nonstop throughout the year. The annual Heritage Festival at Hawrelak Park is one of their biggest food drives. In the past, the organization has raised approximately 50,000 kilograms of food. As admission to the festival is free, a donation to the food bank is suggested. This year’s Heritage Festival runs August 4-6.

Also this year the Food Bank had a “Cruise for a Cause” where motorcycle enthusiasts and supporters alike united at Rona Home & Garden Center in Namao on June 16 to embark on a 50 km ride.

The rally made stops at TD Canada Trust in St. Albert, Tim Horton’s and The Beer Hunter in the west end, and ended at Heritage Harley Davidson in the south side. Playing cards were handed out to each rider at the stops along the way. Prizes for the first, second, and third best Poker hands along with other raffle prizes were given out at the end of the rally. Admission was a $20 donation to Edmonton’s Food Bank.

This was a really great idea and I hope it happens again next year. Visit Cruise for a Cause at www.cruiseforacause.ca for more information. The Food Bank can be reached year round at (780) 425-2133.

Sadly, hunger is a year round cause in our city and we are fortunate to have these great organizations in Edmonton to help the needy.

I hope everyone enjoys the summer and all it has to offer in our blessed city, but stops to remember our fellow citizens.

Ian is a resident of Boyle Street, a member of the Advisory Board for Services for Persons with Disabilities for the City of Edmonton, and the recipient of the Glenrose Award of Courage.