Jennie Wilson (L) and Carol Acton from Hunger In Moose Jaw are all smiles after surpassing their goal

The goal: fifty-thousand dollars in 50 days.  The result: over 62-thousand dollars raised for Hunger In Moose Jaw's "I Bought A Lunch" campaign.  The idea was to sell paper sandwiches around the city for one dollar a piece, which is how much it costs to prepare each lunch.

"It's the most successful fundraising campaign we've ever done," said Carol Acton, Executive Director of Hunger In Moose Jaw.  She and the "I Bought A Lunch" campaign co-ordinator Jennie Wilson were guests on 800 CHAB's The Heartland At Noon with Rob Carnie to share the good news.

"Last year we served about 65-thousand lunches," Acton explained, and, with the cost of each lunch working out to one dollar, Acton says this campaign has practically covered off a year's worth of lunches. 

How can each lunch only cost one dollar?  "We have really good managers in the kitchen", says Acton.  "The cost of food goes up all the time but we try to maintain the same level of quality that we've always done, and we've been able to do that with the people that run the kitchen. We're fortunate to get donations all through the year..we thank everybody who helps us all the time." 

"The generosity of the community is so remarkable when you watch it coming through the door," says Wilson.  "Whether they can donate a large amount or a small amount (it) means the same to every person.  A person who only has a dollar or ten dollars, that is as meaningful to them as it is to someone who can donate a hundred dollars or five hundred dollars."

There were contributions big and small that made up the final total, with one of the largest being a 6-thousand dollar gift from the Moose Jaw Kinsmen Club this past Saturday, on the 50th day of the campaign.  Acton says they have been one of Hunger In Moose Jaw's biggest supporters. "Last year they were kind enough to donate a van as well as a financial donation to (the Child Nutrition Program)."