CLEMMONS, N.C. — Wheel of Fortune is helping communities this summer through its "1K a Day Summer Giveaway" contest.
From July 13 to Aug. 14, the game show put on a puzzle contest that paid out $1,000 to winners and $1,000 to the food bank in the winner's home town.
To enter, viewers need to watch Wheel of Fortune and take note of the bonus round puzzle solution and input it at the show's website each night.
Winners were chosen at random for the $1,000 prize, and a food bank in each winner’s area was chosen to receive a $1,000 donation.
Locally, Louise Davis of Clemmons, North Carolina was selected as a winner. She was thrilled to receive the money, but also to help the Clemmons Food Pantry.
"I really think this is such an important contest because our food pantry really needs help now," Davis said.
Clemmons Food Pantry president Derrick Webb said the COVID-19 pandemic has made donations harder to come by with the financial insecurity following statewide job losses. The donation, Webb said, went directly to stock the shelves with food items the pantry needs most.
"This is going to be a big impact," Webb said.
For instance, $1,000 could buy 386 jars of peanut butter or 286 cans of chicken noodle soup. The potential influx of food items will help provide aid to the people who regularly rely on the Clemmons Food Pantry for food security.
The Clemmons Food Pantry is run entirely by volunteers, so the gift alleviated some of the pressures that have come from changes in operation and food shortage due to the coronavirus.
"We are always looking for individuals to donate money, volunteer their time, or just donate food," Webb said, "We are thoroughly excited about [the donation]."