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Fall food drive to help empty shelves at Red Deer Food Bank

Red Deer north residents are asked to leave donated items at their doorstep
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Fall is a challenging time at the Red Deer Food Bank, but this year it’s harder than usual.

“Supplies usually get low around this time of year,” says Alice Kolisnyk, deputy director of the Red Deer Food Bank. “But this year we seem to be going through food so much faster than we have in the past.”

Alberta’s economic downturn has been challenging for central Alberta families and many have turned to the Red Deer Food Bank for help. For most, it’s going to take a while to get back on their feet.

“Last year, the Red Deer Food Bank helped more than 24,000 people,” says Kolisnyk. “That number includes more than 10,000 children.”

A fall food drive organized by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Red Deer has become an important way for the Red Deer Food Bank to stock its shelves. Last year’s food drive in north Red Deer brought in 4,858 kilograms of food at a time when the food bank really needed it.

Bags will be delivered to the doorsteps of homes on the north side of the city this week and they will be picked up on Saturday between 10 am and 12 noon and delivered to the Red Deer Food Bank.

“We’re grateful for the generosity of Red Deer residents and the volunteers who donate their time to this cause,” Kolinsky says. “The food drive is absolutely crucial for us. So many families need help to make ends meet.”

All north-area residents are reminded to please support the food bank by leaving a food donation on their doorstep this Saturday.

Anyone who does not get a yellow bag in their mailbox next week is more than welcome to bring donations to the Kentwood chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (8 Keast Way) between 10 am and noon on Saturday.

Any community members or groups that would like to assist in delivering or picking up bags can contact Alison Strate, the Red Deer stake food drive coordinator at hodderstrate@gmail.com.

The north Red Deer food drive is part of a series of food drives organized by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Church members in Innisfail and Edmonton are also running food drives Saturday.

“The food drive is a huge undertaking with hundreds of volunteers working together for a really important cause,” says Strate. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to provide an important service and give back to the community.”