Under a rain of confetti and a canopy of balloons, free groceries went to Your Independent Grocer’s customers in Vanderhoof again last week.
A total of $1,000 worth of grocery shopping was given away on May 17 at 4 p.m., when store-owner operator Jim Mackie announced the surprise to nearly 30 customers lining up in three lanes of the store’s till.
Mackie said it’s the second time in a row that Vanderhoof’s YIG, part of Loblaws Inc., was drawn by random as one of the company’s market division stores across Canada to take part in its Market Moments event — one of four in B.C.
“It’s a chance to do a better job,” he said, adding that some lanes were roped off to maximize the amount of customers impacted. “The store’s busier this time.
“It’ll be a harder to keep a secret now.”
Judith Friesen, principal of Mapes Elementary, was one of the customers who benefited from the surprise, as she purchased ingredients for a croissant-making activity with her French class on May 18.
“First time to win anything,” Friesen said. “It’s for a good cause.”
The last Market Moments giveaway in Vanderhoof’s YIG took place on Nov. 5 last year at 4 p.m., when about 10 customers were lining up to pay at the critical moment.