Panthers partner with Portofino Bakery Friday in support of Backpack Buddies

Wednesday, November 22, 2023
North Saanich, British Columbia

The Peninsula Panthers are at home in the friendly confines of the Panorama Recreation Centre Friday night when they welcome in the visiting Westshore Wolves for a 7:30 pm start in a huge South Division match-up.  The game will have ramifications on VIJHL Division standings but the Cats along with Portofino Bakery are partnering for the evening in attempt ot make things just a little bit better for many of the children in our community.

A number of Schools in Greater Victoria have meal programs to ensure that the children have the proper nutrition throughout the day to be able to function normally.  But many of these kids go home on Friday after the school week concludes and often they do not have their dietary needs met for the weekend due to financial issues.  Backpack Buddies is a program which sends a needy child home on Friday with a backpack filled with food items.  Portofino and the Panthers are asking that fans coming out to the game on Friday night bring one or more of the items identified in the poster to help out with this very important issue in our community. Portofino employees will be out in full force and will collect all of the items and ensure they are distributed. They also accept cash donations.

"I came from a very poor family and often went to school without lunch," explained Panthers owner Pete Zubersky. "My parents just did not have the money and so I feel strongly about this excellent program. When we sit in our warm homes, these types of issues seem like a world away but unfortunately they very well could exist next door to you. We love what Portofino Bakery is doing and Coreen and I very much hope that our community comes out and supports this most worthwhile endeavour."

The Panthers will host the Wolves Friday night then travel to Comox on Saturday for a 7:30 pm date with the Glacier Kings.