Live radio, Santa and YYC Tech donation propel CBC Calgary's Food Bank Drive past $1M

Blitz Day at CBCturned into a sack attack as in sacks fullof cash.

At 6 a.m.,Calgary Eyeopenerhosts DavidGrayand Angela Knight launched their live 2-hour broadcast, including special musical guest Tanya Ryan,in the lobby of our new building at 1000 Veteran's Place N.W.

Doug Dirksin action at CBC Calgary

Bloopers from CBC Calgary's Food Bank Blitz Day

7 years ago

Duration 0:29

What happens when you accidentally walk in front of the camera during a live national TV broadcast.

Whenthe day started,the CBCCalgaryFood Bank Drive was a little over halfway towardits goal of raising $1 million.

By 10 a.m., that total had risen to$1,010,316.29.

One of the mosteye-popping cheques came from YYC Tech Gives, which donated $232,005.74.

That came on a morning that included major donations from a variety of Calgary-based companies and institutions, including Norton-Rose Fullbright, RBC, the Fluor Corp., Vista Projects, Calgary Catholic Teachers Charity Association and Cenovus, along with numerous donations from hundreds of individual Calgarians, many of whom hand-delivered them to the studio.

Santa departed the premises at 9 a.m. but the party continuedwithout him throughout the day at CBC with staff-led tours of thenew building (the price of admission was a donation to the food bank), and free coffee and popcorn.

• CBC Calgary Food Bank Drive
• CBC Calgary Food Bank Drive aims to top $1M again

• Catch all the action in real time with our live blog below. On mobile? View the bloghere.

At 10:30 a.m.,the Calgary Girls' Schoolswung by with two school busesfull of 1936 kilos (4270 pounds) worth offood donations. They also stopped by the lobby to sing Christmas Carols.

The live radio continuedwith The Homestretch and host Doug Dirks, Jenny Howe and the crew, who were joined by local band Son of Ray.

Donations of food and cash (including debit and credit) were gratefully accepted in the lobby from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Thursday wasthe last day to donate at Fifth Avenue Place, downtown at 420 Second St. S.W. between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

If you couldn't swing byCBCon Thursday, there's still time to donate. We are accepting donations on Friday from 7 a.m. until noon.

We are at 1000 Veteran's Place N.W., which is just north ofBownessRoad and east ofShaganappiTrail, nearEdworthyPark.

We are easily accessible by public transit. Route #1 has a stop just south of our location or you can do a drive by. Pull into the roundabout in front of the building and shoot a text message to 403-921-1248 and we will come out and pick up your food donation.

• Last week of CBC Calgary Food Bank Drive

You can donate online right up until Jan. 1.