Salina Downtown Inc. Executive Director, Leslie Bishop, announces who will get to ride with Santa Claus for the Parade of Lights on Saturday.
By NATE KING
Salina Post
More than 100 food items are on the way to the Salina Emergency Aid/ Food Bank and Salina Downtown announced the winner of the Salina Parade of Lights "Ride With Santa" on Thursday, Nov. 16.
In the weeks leading up to the annual Salina Parade of Lights, Nov. 18, Salina Downtown Inc. asked children ages 5-10 to bring 4 food items as a donation to the Salina Emergency Aid/Food Bank, 255 S. Chicago Street, Salina.
Children, who brought a food donation, were entered for a chance to ride with Santa during the parade. Each child who brought four food items had their name added to a Santa hat and one name was drawn.
LISTEN: Leslie Bishop shares details for downtown Salina holiday events
One name was selected from the hat. The winner of the 2023 Parade of Lights "Ride with Santa" is Harper Ebert.
Food donations aren't the only thing the Salina Emergency Food Bank will receive. Salina Downtown, in partnership with First Bank Kansas, will present Salina Area Emergency Aid/Food Bank with a check for $140.
" First Bank Kansas reached out to us," said Leslie Bishop, executive director for Salina Downtown. "First Bank Kansas is very supportive of our office and our efforts for everything in downtown Salina."
First Bank Kansas agreed to donate $1 for every food item donated, up to $250. Bishop said food items will be delivered to the food bank on Friday.
Karen Couch, executive director for the Salina Emergency Aid/ Food Bank said both donations are greatly appreciated this time of year, especially this year.
"As of Oct. of this year, we have already given out the amount of food we gave out for all of last year," Couch said. "Trust me, this means everything to us."
Couch said the financial gift donated by First Bank Kansas will be used to purchase more items to fill the food bank's holiday food bags. Couch said approximately 200 holiday bags will be given out for Thanksgiving and an additional 200 bags for Christmas.
The Holiday Bag includes all the fixings to make a holiday meal. Items include:
● Ham or Turkey
● Ingredients to make green bean casserole
● Sweet Potatoes
● Jello
● Relish tray fixings
● Mashed potatoes and gravy
● Stuffing
The Salina Emergency Food Bank distributes food to approximately 620 people each week. With the increased demand for assistance due to inflated food prices, Couch said the food bank reached a new milestone on Monday, Nov. 13.
"We hit a record on Monday. We gave out food to 135 families during one food distribution," Couch said.
For donation and distribution info check out the Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank website here.