What a summer! Another incredible season of Strudwick Hockey Camps is officially in the books — and this year, we had something extra special to celebrate.
Alongside the action on the ice, we launched the Face-Off Against Community Hunger campaign. Thanks to the generous support of Alberta Chicken and the incredible spirit of hundreds of hockey families, we collected well over 3,000 lbs of food across three camps. Amazing, right?! That’s thousands of meals going straight to families in need.
Hockey families once again proved what I already knew to be true: teamwork extends far beyond the rink.
Why It Matters
Did you know that over 40% of food bank users are children? That’s a heartbreaking reality, but together, we can change the story. Every box of pasta, every can of soup, and every donated dollar adds up to make a real difference. When young athletes see the power of giving back, they learn lessons that last longer than any season.
Power Plays on the Plate
Nutrition was a big part of camp too! To fuel our athletes for their best shifts, we shared recipes and tips from our brand-new Power Plays on the Plate Recipe E-Book.
One standout? Muscle-Up Roll Ups — a simple, protein-packed snack perfect for before or after a big skate. Think whole grain wraps, lean chicken, crunchy veggies, and a little cheese rolled into a portable powerhouse. It’s a recipe the whole family will love, and it proves that fuelling for sport can be quick, tasty, and fun.
Want this recipe and more? You can grab the full Power Plays on the Plate E-Book packed with family-friendly, athlete-approved meals and snacks below!
The Challenge is On!
This fall, we’re taking Face-Off Against Hunger beyond camp and inviting minor hockey teams across Alberta to join the challenge.
Here’s how it works:
- Teams sign up at FuellingFamilies.com.
- Collect food donations in your community.
- Support local families in need.
- Compete for the ultimate prize: a team coaching session with Jason Strudwick himself!
It’s a win-win — kids learn the value of giving back, families in need get the help they deserve, and teams have fun competing for bragging rights (and an unforgettable coaching experience).
Thank You
To every parent, player, coach, farmer and volunteer who helped make this summer’s camps and our launch a success — thank you. You’ve proven once again that when athletes and families team up, amazing things happen both on and off the ice.
Now, let’s keep the momentum going.
Sign your team up today at FuellingFamilies.com and let’s face-off against hunger, together.
Here’s to strong skates, full plates, and joyfull hearts.
Emily
Emily Mardell is a Registered Dietitian, busy mama of three and proud Alberta foodie. Emily is passionate about quality ingredients and creating delicious, nourishing recipes that bring families together. Follow her on social media @GetJoyfull or GetJoyfull.com for nutrition advice and tips to grow food joy and fill up on family time.
Disclaimer: This post was created in partnership with Alberta Chicken Producers. Special thanks to ACP for their ongoing support to Food Banks Alberta and community food security during the holidays and beyond. From this Dietitian Mama, and local food banks province-wide, thank you farmers!