Blue Bomber wins $62K for hunger-fighting charities

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This article was published 24/11/2010 (5428 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WINNIPEG – Thousands of tiny end-zone dances broke out today when Winnipeg Blue Bomber Luke Fritz was awarded a $50,000 prize by Pepsi.

The offensive lineman garnered the most votes from fans in the Pepsi Refresh Project, an initiative launched last year by the soda giant to provide grants to outstanding ideas.

Fritz beat out seven other players — one from each team in the Canadian Football League — with his video pitch for Winnipeg Harvest’s Hunger for Hope program. It provides baby formula, baby food, pablum, milk and nutritional products to 1,600 infants per month.

The total windfall for Hunger for Hope is actually $62,000, after the Kinsmen Club of Winnipeg said it would kick in $10,000 if Fritz won, plus $2,000 given to every player for their charity by Pepsi.

David Northcott, executive director of Winnipeg Harvest, said the money will come in very handy, as Hunger for Hope costs $100,000 annually.

“The numbers are rising because the needs in the community are rising, especially children. This win will allow us to help those hungry children in need,” he said.

Pepsi did not release the vote totals for each player.

“This grant represents a big win off the field because giving back to the community is what it’s all about. I’m so grateful to PepsiCo Canada for providing the grant, and I can’t thank voters enough for supporting my idea,” Fritz said in a press release.

“No child, and certainly no baby, should ever go hungry, and this grant will help make sure that doesn’t happen.”

Fritz’s video: