Cypress River groups receive funds from Old Dutch contest
Denil Patel from Cypress River Foods was thrilled to learn that their store was chosen in a random draw among Fine Foods Banner stores that took part in the Old Dutch Foods and Fine Foods Advertising Partnership Program in the summer of 2025.
It wasn’t that long ago that Denil and his family moved to Cypress River from Ahmedabad, India, a city of 7 million people. “The people in Cypress River are so kind and supportive. We immediately felt like we had found the perfect place to call home. We love it here and feel like we belong. Participating in the draw was important to us, and we hoped our store would be chosen so we could give back even more to the town that we now call home. When I received the notification that our store was selected and that the three important community groups we chose would receive funding to support their ongoing projects, I was thrilled and couldn’t wait to share the news with my family,” he said.
On Monday, December 1, Carlos Goncalves and Glenn McCulloch from Old Dutch Foods, along with Devon Wiebe from Pratts, visited Cypress River Food Store to present $850 cheques to each of the three local community recipients.
Cypress River Lodge Board members Agnes Messner and Barbara Sigurdson were happy to attend and said, “We are so grateful to everyone involved. We have several renovations that need to be completed, and this money will go a long way toward making that happen. Thank you!”
Tracy Mauws, representing Cypress River Memorial Hall, shared her thanks: “We are so thankful for this generous donation from Old Dutch Foods and Fine Foods, and we want to thank Cypress River Foods for participating in this program. This donation will be used for renovations.”
Cypress River Fire Department Chief Wesley Wytinck thanked Carlos, Glenn, Devon, and the owners of Cypress River Foods. “This donation will be used for ongoing equipment purchases. Our department strives to have the best equipment possible to serve our community effectively. This donation will help us do that. Thank you.”
“Most Fine Foods stores are in rural areas,” Devon said. “These stores have a history of giving back and supporting their communities. At Pratts, we support initiatives in the communities where our Fine Foods Banner stores are located.”
Carlos added, “At Old Dutch Foods Ltd., we are committed to supporting our communities and have a long history of giving back.”
It’s easy to see why these two companies teamed up to create a community program that encourages giving back.
In the summer of 2025, Fine Foods Banner stores that joined the community program were asked to submit their preferred local charities or programs to receive funds if their store was chosen in a random draw. The selected store’s chosen charities or programs would then receive funding from the Fine Foods Advertising and Old Dutch Ltd. Partnership Program.
Since 2017, this partnership has given more than $300,000 to local community programs and charities.
Thank you to Old Dutch Foods Ltd., Fine Foods Advertising (Pratts), and Cypress River Food Store for working together to support important community groups in Cypress River.
Congratulations to Cypress River Lodge, Cypress River Fire Department, and Cypress River Memorial Hall!
PHOTO CAPTION: OLD DUTCH AND FINE FOOD ADVERTISING CONTEST RECIPENTS: (l. to r.) Glenn McCulloch (Old Dutch), Devon Wiebe (Pratts & Fine Foods rep.), Carlos Goncalves (Old Dutch), Wesley Wytinck (Chief Cypress River Fire Department). (middle row, l. to r.) Renuka Patel (Cypress River Foods). (front row l. to r.) Agnes Messner (Cypress River Lodge), Barbara Sigurdson (Cypress River Lodge), Tracy Mauws (Cypress River Memorial Hall). PHOTO BY SUZANNE PADDOCK
