VERY HAPPY CUSTOMERS
Local couple contest winners
Marie Kinch went to Food Basics with a simple shopping list: to pick up a $250 gift card.
Instead, the surprised momto-be left Tuesday with the card, a baby-friendly gift basket and a $3,000 cheque that will help pay the rent.
“This is awesome,” said the 26-year-old Windsor woman, moments after learning about the surprise at the Food Basics store at 880 Goyeau St. “I feel like I’m in a dream.” She applied online in June to a Food Basics contest called Have It All. To mark Canada’s 150th birthday, Food Basics randomly selected customers to receive 150 per cent back on receipts from its stores. But the discount food chain also wanted to fulfil three wishes from the thousands it received across Ontario, so it asked customers what they would ask for if they could have it all.
The surprise good news for the lucky three winners started in Ottawa and will continue in North Bay. But Tuesday was Windsor’s turn.
Marie’s wish was to have her first and last month’s rent paid so she could move to a nice place with her husband, given they’re expecting their first child, a boy to be named Liam, on Oct. 18.
“I’m really grateful,” said Marie, who recently changed her maiden name Romandia to her married name Kinch. “We needed this so much.”
Her equally surprised husband Ron Kinch, who accompanied Marie on Tuesday to their local Food Basics to meet with reporters — said the money comes at a welcome time for the family.
“This is going to be a big help,” Ron said. “We’re a little behind on stuff, so we’ll get caught up and be able to afford a place.”
Marie, who’s not working at the moment, said the surprise grocery bonanza was timely.
“It’s been tough,” she said. “It’s been a tough time, just trying to make ends meet here and there, trying to get food for the month. We’re really scrounging. “So I’m really happy.” Carla Costa, Food Basics marketing manager, said it feels good to help out customers in need.
“We’re super excited to be here with Marie today,” Costa said.
“This is just one way to give back to our consumers. Not only do we have great prices and fresh food, but we’re now also fulfilling wishes and giving back to the community.”
And although the wishes were randomly selected, she said many customers shared heartfelt details of their lives, which made the contest seem all the more important.
“We did hear the stories,” she said. “And they were super touching.”
It’s been a tough time, just trying to make ends meet here and there, trying to get food for the month. We’re really scrounging.