Thanks to the generosity of people all across the Central Plains, almost $300,000 was donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities Manitoba.

McCain Foods co-hosted a Free Fry Day event last month with Homestead Co-op which brought in $46,783.50.

"The McCain Foundation recognized our efforts and our being in the community and they thought it was just a great thing that they wanted to be a part of, for Ronald McDonald House, and specifically here in Manitoba," says McCain Foods Plant Manager, Dean Melnic. "The timing was perfect and they decided to support us and support our efforts by adding $250,000 towards a new build."

Ronald McDonald House Charities Manitoba is in the process of constructing a 40-room building in Winnipeg which helps families all over the province. It's expected to be ready by next July.

"The day of the Free Fry Day event there were people that came through the line that have used the house and were just very appreciative of what we were doing," says Leah Gravatt, plant administrator. "(They said) they were thankful that something like that exists and that they're able to use it when they have sick children. It's just great that people have a place to go and a place to stay when they need to."

The previous house was a 14-room building. Both Melnic and Gravatt admit the thought of families being turned away was a major motivator when it came to planning an event to help them out. The day of the event, people from outside Portage la Prairie came into the city to drive-thru and get some free product from both McCain Foods and Homestead Co-op. People who came through also had the opportunity to participate in a 50/50 draw or just donate to the charity instead. Melnic notes this was not required to get the free product, but it didn't matter.

"Sometimes they just didn't want the product, they just wanted to put the money in," says Melnic. "It was steady all day long from start to finish. We just didn't want to end."

As a result, Melnic says this is an event that will happen every year and he wants it to be bigger and better. Gravatt says a lot of work goes into the event with everyone who helps out.

"It's a lot of planning, a lot of getting together with people and making sure everything is organized, but it's all worth it," says Gravatt. "I like being able to be part of something like that to make a mark and know that we're making a difference, and we're going to help a lot of families out."