Community comes through for the Morinville Food Bank

Above: Firefighters help unload a truck of donations Friday afternoon during the Annual Fill-a-Bus campaign.

Two days of collections for the Morinville Food Bank Society resulted in 5720 pounds of food collected during the Annual Fill-a-Bus event, although an earlier tally on Friday indicated this year’s haul was only 4211 pounds.

The annual charity event had a record year in 2013 with 7255 pounds collected. The following year saw a more than 50 per cent drop to 3546 pounds due to sub-zero weather. Last year’s tally was 4378 pounds, 1342 pounds less than this year’s final number. This year’s numbers do not include a large donation of pet food from Champion Petfoods or several thousand dollars donated by individuals, businesses, and service clubs. Some of that money has been placed in trust with Scotia Bank, who have agreed to double the amount up to $5000 again this year.

“We have so many great supporters in this town; I just can’t believe it,” said Food Bank organizer Ken Skjersven.

Skjersven said every day the Food Bank is open; they are seeing a two or three new people looking for help. “We had a young fellow the other day who didn’t know which way was up,” Skjersven said. “He said, ‘I just don’t know what I’m going to do.’ And I said, ‘[Helping] is what we’re here for.’”

– Submitted Photos

Susan Price hands her donation to Firefighter Jake Anderson.

MuniWare employees Tamra and Lea Ann make their company’s donation.

Sobeys Morinville owners Shaun and Susie Thompson donated $1300 from store customers on Friday. The Thompsons said more donations will continue to come.