WATCH: Kamloops shoppers cash in on RIH Foundation auction prize with 5-minute grocery dash

Five minutes, $1,000 to spend… but before the dash? A little homework.

“We were here for an hour last night – full disclosure – so we had a map planned out and a route,” jokes Benner.

Meats, seafood and even two cantaloupes for a party made the list… with staff setting up Fresh Street Market an hour earlier Thursday, making sure the shelves were ready – bright and early.

“We know food in general [has gone] nothing but higher and higher as years go by. We kept our counters thoughtfully, we didn’t want to hold anything back from them, we wanted it to be like if you were to shop with us at 9:00, 10:00 in the morning. We just made sure our counters were full and ready to rock,” says Glenn Hyokki, the store leader inside Fresh Street Market.

The route may have been planned inside the store, but the opportunity started at a gala.

The spree was a live auction prize at the RIH Foundation’s Royal Affair in June, where the bidding supported local health care initiatives, such as patient programs and critical equipment inside the Royal Inland Hospital.

“We really couldn’t do what we do without our community support… we try to find unique experiences for our live auction that people can’t typically get anywhere else,” says Macy MacDonald, the event coordinator at the RIH Foundation.

Jordan says the experience was a gift from his in-laws. For Hill’s family, the hospital connection runs deeper than the recent winning bid.

“[Hill’s] father used to work at the hospital here. It’s an important to her family for a long time,” he recalls.

Much like the store itself, the hospital is a place people across the community rely on, giving staff yet another reason to get involved.

“It’s great to participate and give back to the community. Everybody utilizes the hospital so it’s great to throw our name in the hat there, and have something like this for the community as well,” says Jeremy Harrison, the assistant store lead at Fresh Street Market.

“What a great cause for the Royal Inland. It’s great for the community, it’s great for our staff, it’s great for the store. We are happy to participate,” continues Hyokki.

When the clock struck zero, it was time to tally up the haul at check out. Jordan and Hill’s groceries receipt added up to more than the $1,000 prize limit, but that didn’t stop Jordan from paying the difference.

This is the second-ever spree, following the first back in 2024 with the RIH Foundation’s Royal Affair Gala held every two years. The foundation hopes another cart will be racing through these aisles in 2028.

Until then, there’s a hefty haul to unpack this morning, with a shopping route worth saving.

by Jeremy Russo

WATCH: Kamloops shoppers cash in on RIH Foundation auction prize with 5-minute grocery dash

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