The Calgary Stampeders, their fans, and Homes By Avi teamed up to help Calgarians in need at the Labour Day Classic.

The groups joined forces with the Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank for the 18th annual Be A Fan, Bring A Can food drive. Over $72,524 worth of food items and cash donations was raised throughout the program. including $58,384 at the McMahon Stadium gates at Monday's Labour Day Classic.

The one-day total collected on game day was the most in the history of the program.

“The Labour Day Classic food drive continues to play an important role in our goal of not letting Calgarians go hungry,” said Kristen Brown, development coordinator of community initiatives with the Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank. “It has been a great partnership and we appreciate their effort.”

The Be A Fan, Bring A Can food drive is led by wives and girlfriends of Stampeders coaches and players. They’ were at the McMahon Stadium gates on Monday, wearing their significant other’s jersey and collecting the food and cash donations.

“This is a great initiative that brings the Stampeders football club and the community together to provide something substantial for the Food Bank,” said club spokesperson Peni Hufnagel, wife of head coach/general manager John Hufnagel. “I’m proud to be involved with the program.”

According to the Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank, 87,212 Calgarians used the Food Bank to fill the basic need of food last year. Of those, 43 per cent were children. Last year, the drive raised $28,968 in food and cash donations, which increased the 17-year total to nearly $353,000. Including the success of this year's edition, the total now stands at approximately $425,500.

For every dollar raised the Food Bank can distribute four dollars worth of food.

Game sponsor Homes By Avi has been contributing to the cause by collecting donations since Aug. 9 at their head office and all show home locations. The Stampeders and Homes by Avi want to thank fans for their tremendous support.