VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - June 25, 2010) -

Editors Note:  There is one photo associated with this press release.

Richard Loat is taking his passion for hockey and community involvement on the road. He is the organizer of Five Hole for Food, a grassroots campaign that will see him play road hockey in nine cities to generate donations for community food banks.

"I had a cross-country road trip already planned from Vancouver to Montreal when I realized this could be an opportunity to help those who are less fortunate," said Loat, who is also a blogger for the NHL's Vancouver Canucks. "When I started talking to other hockey fans across Canada to gauge their interest, I knew this was the start of something big."

Five Hole for Food will start June 29 in Montreal and finish up July 9 in Vancouver. Loat has enlisted people in each city to organize a road hockey game. Anyone with a hockey stick can come out and play for free – players and spectators are asked to bring food donations for the local food bank.

Five Hole for Food sponsors include Molson, Boston Pizza, Marketwire, Red Bull, Rogers Communications, and Monster Energy Drink.

"This is the road trip of a lifetime," said Loat, a 21-year-old university student from North Vancouver. "I was inspired by how Canadians were united by the 2010 Winter Olympics and saw an opportunity to use hockey for a good cause.

"Choosing to work with food banks was an easy choice. We can make a big impact with a little bit of time, work, and ultimately food. There are a lot of great causes out there, but we chose to help food banks because we can see the impact immediately. Food banks are facing shortages these days and this is something we all need to help solve however we can."

Five Hole for Food will make stops in Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Regina, Calgary, Edmonton, Victoria, and Vancouver. Volunteers from food banks in the respective cities will be at each game to collect donations.

Several hockey teams across the country are also committed to supporting Five Hole for Food. For example, the Ottawa 67s street team will be participating, while the Vancouver Giants and Abbotsford Heat team mascots will make an appearance at the final game in Vancouver. Canadian National Hockey League teams have also donated prizes – such as autographed hockey sticks and jerseys – for auction with the proceeds to benefit food banks.

Also, former Vancouver Canucks goaltender Richard Brodeur is confirmed to be the Five Hole for Food ambassador at the Vancouver game on July 9.

"Canadians love hockey and are generous people. I think they will embrace Five Hole for Food when we visit their city," said Loat. "Bring your hockey stick and come play in a fun game, or come out to watch and support us. I'm looking forward to meeting some great hockey fans."

Those who can't make it to the games can also make donations online: www.fiveholeforfood.com.

For more information about Five Hole for Food, follow us on Twitter: @fiveholeforfood, or send e-mail to info@fiveholeforfood.com.

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