Foley says his mother would make visits to The Salvation Army a fun experience. (Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

Last weekend, CFL star Ricky Foley tweeted to his 8,300 twitter followers. "I have no shame saying the #SalvationArmy clothed me 'til I was 14...Please give generously 2them outside stores this holiday season #Riders."

The Salvation Army was there for me and I will give back to them as long as I am fortunate enough to be able to. - Roughrider defensive end Ricky Foley.

In an interview with The Morning Edition's Sheila Coles, Foley says his family relied on the charity growing up on a farm east of Toronto.

"There was good years on the farm and there was bad years on the farm. During those bad years, which it seemed like we had a lot when I was young, the best way to make ends meet was for my mother to bring me to the Salvation Army."

Foley, the youngest of three children, credits his mother, Virginia, for making trips to the Salvation Army fun.

"She made it like a treasure hunt. I enjoyed looking for the needle in the haystack and I found a few gems. If I found a pair of Nikes, I don't care how beat up they were, I would wear the heck out of them until my toes were coming out of the ends."

The holidays are a busy time of year for The Salvation Army.

There wasn't much the Foley family would not use from the charity. Foley remembers coming home with books, skates, hockey equipment, clothes and shoes. He says his best find was a pair of Nike Air Jordans that were three sizes too big.

"I didn't care. I was still going to wear them. They were Jordans and I never had another pair until I was in my twenties and could afford them."

Foley, who spends his off-season in Vancouver with his fiancee, takes pride in his involvement with the Regina branch of the Salvation Army. The Riders are close partners with the charity and raised enough money last year to donate 200 backpacks for kids heading off to school.

"That's one thing I was raised with is you don't ever bite the hand that fed you and you don't ever forget the favour. The Salvation Army was there for me and I will give back as long as I'm fortunate enough to be able to."