Day 1 of Tackle Hunger Week took place in Wynyard under the lights on George Lamb Field on Friday, September 23. 

Students of WCHS, the Viscount Vikings Football team, and parents from the communities of Viscount, Raymore, and Wynyard raised over 1000 lbs of food and $700 in gate revenue to go towards the Wynyard and District Food Bank. 

Students attending the football game on Friday were asked to bring a non-perishable food item to watch for free. Parents were also asked to bring food items to donate and enter the game for $2.

Players for the Wynyard Golden Bears took matters into their own hands and went house to house to promote and get the campaign off to a great start. 

“All gate receipts on this night was then graciously turned over to the Food Bank so that supplementary products that are hard to obtain could be purchased and added to the food baskets normally distributed to food bank patrons.  It is unfortunate but the food bank is being used in record numbers recently so the timing of Tackle Hunger week was greatly appreciated at this time,” explained Morris Sokul, head football coach of WCHS.

The team surpassed the 2021 Tackle Hunger week by a total of 837 lbs on day 1. 

“Thank you Wyayard and Raymore and thank you Viscount.  Rivals on the field of play but yet collaborative in their efforts of showing how athletes can make a difference off the field in their community.  Football is indeed so much more than just a game!”

That was not the only fundraising being done throughout the day at the school. 

The night was kicked off with WCHS hosting their first annual chili bake-off.

“This event was planned by the WCHS SRC in conjunction with Mrs.Jana Fisher's Leadership 20 class as a school fundraiser to raise money for a new school van that can be utilized by the entire WCHS student body to get to school activities such as volleyball and basketball games, golf tournaments and student leadership conferences.” ‘

The event had Marea Olafson from Freba Pottery Design manufacture two styles of WCHS alumni bowls to also raise funds for the van. 

“Somehow in less than 2 weeks over 350 bowls were sold and manufactured for this event.  Purchasers who were in attendance used these bowls to go around to taste test the CHILI prepared by 12 Community Chefs that were recruited by the Leadership 20 class.  These Chefs included the Mayor, the local pharmacist, various restaurant owners, Alumni Head Coach George Lamb, members of the WCHS SRC and the principal of WES as well as some dedicated caring Wynyard Citizens.”

In the end, Pepper Tree Restaurant owner, Joel Chuckry came in first, Co-op Manager Dave Kappel came in second, and were declared chili champions of Wynyard. 

Day 2 of Tackle Hunger Week takes place tonight, Monday, September 26 as the Jr Bears host Foam Lake in a controlled junior jamboree style controlled scrimmage. 

“This event will also go under the lights with a 7 pm start time.  Once again anyone who brings a food item to this developmental football event will be admitted absolutely free.  Otherwise a $2 charge will be charged to all boosters attending this event.  Once again all gate receipts will be turned over to help TACKLE HUNGER In our community.”