Spirit of Alex and Riley food bank fundraiser set for tomorrow

By Mark Squibb

Bernie and Lousie Mercer of Conception Bay South will be hosting the twelfth annual Spirt of Alex and Riley (SOAR) fundraiser for the CBS-Paradise Food Bank on Friday, May 9.
The fundraiser is held each year on May 9 — both Alex and Riley’s birthdays — in honour of the siblings, who both passed after courageous battles with brain cancer.
“There’s been a lot of food donated over the last 12 years through our food drive,” said Louise, who noted that cash donations, gift cards, hygiene products, and pet food are also accepted.
Sadly, the need has only grown in the past decade, accelerated by inflation and the rising cost of living.
“In 2024 the food bank took on 166 new families,” said Mercer. “So, they service about 350 families per month.”
Those availing of the food bank’s services come from all walks of life, and include senior citizens, low-income families, single parents, and students.
The Mercers will be accepting donations at the Salvation Army church in Long Pond from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m.
As in year’s past, Paradise and CBS schools will also be participating, and members of the CBS and Paradise Fire Department will be volunteering their time to collect donations from the schools and drop them off to the church.
The SOAR fundraiser is just one of many community events that the Mercer’s put off each year in memory of Alex and Riley.
“It makes us feel special that people are still coming out,” said Lousie. “Alex is gone 22 years and Riley is gone 11 years, going on 12, and people still remember Alex and Riley, they still remember their story, and they want to help keep their memory, and their spirit, alive here in CBS, and that means everything to us.”