Rangers tangle with two desperate clubs ahead of Don Cameron Potato Night

One of the most beloved events of every Kitchener Rangers season is fast approaching.

Don Cameron Potato Night in support of the House of Friendship (HOF) happens on Tuesday, March 18, at the Memorial Auditorium.

The annual food drive/fundraiser was started by Don back in 1996 when the long time voice of the Rangers, began encouraging fans to bring a bag of potatoes to the rink and donated it to the HOF emergency food hamper program.

Don chose potatoes in honour of his native Prince Edward Island.

Dauda Raji, community services manager at HOF told 570 NewsRadio potatoes are a natural choice for a event like this.

“It’s one of the stable items we distribute on a weekly basis. It’s a food that resonates with everyone because most people eat potatoes.”

But over the years, HOF has noticed a decline in the need for potato donations and is now encouraging people to bring cash donations instead.

“We prefer cash donations as they allow us to support the greatest needs in the community.” He said. Raji went on to say the need is growing exponentially.

“Last year alone, more than 90,000 food hampers were provided to Kitchener-Waterloo residents through our emergency food hamper program. A staggering one in eight households in our region need help to feed their families.”

Earlier this year, the Food Bank of Waterloo Region estimated the need was closer to one in 10.

There is sure to be a good crowd on hand on Tuesday with the London Knights in town. HOF will have volunteers set-up at the arena entrances to collect donations as well as at a booth on the north concourse.

Heading into the penultimate weekend of the season, the East Avenue Blue are cruising into the postseason, but they still have work to do.

The North Bay Battalion are in town, Friday. The Troops are clinging to the final playoff spot in the Eastern conference and will be looking to pick up some points.

It’s the same thing for the Owen Sound Attack, who host Kitchener on Saturday evening. The two have a perilous grip on the final playoff spot in the east, and you never count out a desperate team.

Mike Farwell and Paul Fixter will bring you all the action, live on 570 NewsRadio. Pregame shows Friday and Saturday night begin at 6:30 p.m.