It all started with cornflakes and ended with a first-place award in a gingerbread competition held by the Airdrie Food Bank. 
 
Airdronian Isaac Mandel, who has been volunteering with the Airdrie Food Bank for a year and a half now said his muse for building his gingerbread house came by happenstance, as much great art does. While Mandel and his family have a long-standing tradition of building gingerbread houses every Christmas season, this year Mandel would go at it alone and entered the Airdrie Food Bank's 2021 Volunteer Gingerbread House Competition.
 
"I decided I had to phone my daughter and I said, 'I got myself in a bind. I need some advice,'" he said. "She gave me ideas and believe it or not, she suggested Frosted Corn Flakes for the roof. But when I went shopping I found banana chips. I said, 'well, they're not frosted, but they're a lot easier.'"
 
Mandel also bought pretzels, which he initially thought would be used for the gingerbread roof shingles, but improvised and used them as fencing for his scrumptious abode. 
 
The food bank placed photos of all the gingerbread houses on their Facebook page and allowed the public to vote on their favourite creations by liking and commenting. Mandel's gingerbread house garnered over 40 likes and five comments, the majority of which were enthralled with the banana chip shingles. 
 
Mandel who is a retired pressure welder said that places like the food bank have helped many people - some who are very near and dear to his heart.
 
"I figure that it is a good cause and frankly, I enjoy myself," he said. " The whole flock has a good sense of humour and no one is here to outwork anyone else."
 
But Mandel has also volunteered his time in sports, volunteering at a golf course, teaching junior golf. When asked if he is confident in his golf game, Mandel said he isn't exactly Rory McIlroy.
 
"I fit it right in with the rest of them. I do under 100."
 
As Christmas approaches, Mandel reflected on what he cherishes most.
 
"I still enjoy all the carols and going to church, because you know this is all about the Christ child," he said. "My favourite Christmas carol is still 'Silent Night'. My mom liked it too."
 

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