This winning ticket supports the food bank
The sweet irony of buying a $5 ticket for Anytime Fitness’ Mega Class fundraiser on Saturday is you get to exercise and do it with the two cans donated to the cause, too.
Last year’s fundraiser generated $1,500 and more than 100 pounds of food for Matthew 25:35 Ministries’ Food Pantry, said Michelle Oubre, manager of the Anytime Fitness in Destrehan.
“We want to make it bigger and better,” Oubre said. “That’s the goal. I want to get as many people there as possible. Anyone can attend – 11 years old and up – and capable of exercising a full hour.”
They’ve sold 60 tickets, but she wants to reach 100 sold.
Anyone can attend the Mega Class scheduled 8:30 to 10 a.m. at the United Methodist Fellowship Hall in Destrehan. Admission is a $5 ticket, available at the door, and two canned goods.
“We’ve always had a great relationship with the food bank next door,” she said. “They feed over 250 families a week, giving out food on Wednesdays and Sundays. It’s pretty amazing.”
Oubre and others with the gym volunteer with the food pantry.
“We have an older adult population thriving and very active in the community and they look for things like this to help,” she said.
Mary Anne Schindler, president of Matthew 25:35 Ministries, praised Anytime Fitness in Destrehan as a consistent support to the ministry. In addition to helping with funds, food, volunteers and awareness, they have also helped with other events and workshops.
“The people that come to the Food Pantry for food become part of our family,” Schindler said. “We enjoy serving them, sharing stories about their lives, giving treats and praying for them.”
In 2019, the food pantry served 15,565 people. Schindler said it included a monthly distribution with food from Second Harvest, Winn Dixie and other resources. They also have families come back two Sundays a month to pick up items donated by Winn Dixie including produce, dairy, deli, bread and bakery goods.
At Thanksgiving, Schindler said they also try to provide a Thanksgiving feast to families. At Christmas, they try to collect items the families don’t usually get and share them with them at the beginning of the year.
“Without the love that the people of St. Charles Parish have for others in the parish, we could not continue to do what we do,” Schindler said. “We are so blessed to be a part of this caring community.”
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