Last year's inaugural Fire Department/RCMP challenge helped collect four months worth of food for the Melfort Food Bank. (Submitted/Sheila Cochrane)

By Cam Lee

Food bank challenge returns

The Battle of the Badges is back in Melfort

Nov 22, 2024 | 11:00 AM

The friendly rivalry resumes as the Battle of the Badges is underway in Melfort.

For the second time, the Melfort Fire Department and Melfort RCMP are challenging each other to see which organization can collect the most food for the Melfort Food Bank.

Bragging rights from the first year go to the RCMP, who won the inaugural challenge in 2023.

Fire Chief Leonard Whitney told northeastNOW they hope to turn the tide by winning this year’s challenge.

“The RCMP did, in fact, beat us last year, which we’re hoping to remedy this year as the fire department,” said Whitney. “Melfort Fire is hoping to really lay it to the RCMP this year and even up the score, so go Melfort Fire!”

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Whitney said the competition is all in fun to collect some food for the Melfort Food Bank during a challenging time of year for many.

“Money is tight, and food insecurity is a very real thing in our community, unfortunately,” Whitney said. “We just want to do as much as we can to try and take care of that problem.”

The Fire Department’s food drop-off site is at City Hall.

Meanwhile, RCMP Staff Sgt. Ryan Case told northeastNOW they are looking to defend their title.

“The Fire Department is typically a more popular organization within the community so…absolutely, the pressure is on,” Case explained.

Case said the posts about the Battle of the Badges have been on social media and have plenty of engagement so far. While bragging rights are important, Case agreed with Whitney in saying the ultimate winners will be users of the Melfort Food Bank. He said they will also be out and about at various businesses during the challenge to collect food.

Last year’s inaugural challenge was a major success and helped the Food Bank tremendously.

“I think between us and the fire department, if I remember right, we gathered about four months’ worth of food for the food bank last year,” said Case.

The RCMP food drop-off location is at the Melfort RCMP Detachment.

The challenge will run through Dec. 15.

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Cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @northeastNOW_SK