It started with $150, Ernie the lamb and a plan to help the needy.
It ended with Emma Van Steekelenburg’s efforts totalling $4,000 for the Brooks Food Bank and the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
That includes the $150 received through the RBC Make 150 Count program for young farmers seeking to make a difference in their communities.
Van Steeklenburg, a 4-H member at Millicent, Alta., launched her 4-H lamb project with help from her parents, who donated the animal.
At the 4-H recognition night, Ernie sold seven different times to different buyers, raising $4,000.
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The butchering and feed were donated and the meat went to the food bank.
Van Steekelenburg’s past volunteer work has included teaching young people how to curl, preparing Christmas hampers and stocking shelves at the food bank.
“I could see what money could do, providing more food,” she said. “I knew I could help.”
This fall, she will leave her family’s mixed farm to begin studies in the University of Saskatchewan agriculture program.
Other examples of RBC projects include Kayla Veldman of Stratford, Ont., donating chicken eggs to a local breakfast program at a community food centre and Jayden Buchanan of Crystal City, Man., purchasing a grooming chute and supplies to help educate 4-Hers on beef production and showmanship.
In addition, Hannah Robson of Rimbey, Alta., planned a 4-H presentation at her farm on what to look for in a herd bull.
