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Innisfail's giving spirit grows during autumn

INNISFAIL – Food banks across the country are often struggling with a lack of donations at this time of year. Fall food drives, including those here in Innisfail, can make a big difference for needy families.
Food Drive Web
Members with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints were out collecting bags filled with donations for the Innisfail and District Food Bank during their annual Fall Food Drive on Sept. 28. Erik Ellingson, right, is seen here with his daughters Kate, centre and Liv and his niece Kami Ellingson on left.

INNISFAIL – Food banks across the country are often struggling with a lack of donations at this time of year.

Fall food drives, including those here in Innisfail, can make a big difference for needy families.

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints collected close to 4,000 pounds of food during their annual Fall Food Drive on Sept. 28.

A total of just over 3,600 pounds of non-perishable items was collected and given to the Innisfail and District Food Bank.

“It’s an opportunity for our children and our families to be able to volunteer and give back to the community,” said Laura Ellingson, food drive volunteer. “Also (an opportunity) to have an awareness of the needs we have in our community.

“We’re just very grateful that people have recognized those needs and are willing to give back,” she added. “Our community is very generous.”

About 40 volunteers with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were out early Sept. 28 collecting dozens of yellow bags throughout Innisfail that were filled with donations.

Ellingson said the food drive is part of a large church program that helps needy people in local communities.

“This program is called Helping Hands with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” she said. “It’s not just in Innisfail. It’s a program nationwide.”

Members of the Innisfail and District Food Bank said they were grateful for the annual food drive, now in its third consecutive year, and for the community donations and the commitment by local church members.

“We’ve got hundreds of bags (coming in) today,” said Brenda Hand, co-coordinator for the local food bank. “We’re hoping we get as much as last year, which was a little less than 4,000 pounds."

Close to a dozen people volunteered with the food bank to empty bags, sort the food and stock the shelves.

“Our shelves were getting empty and we were buying lots of groceries,” added Hand. “This will tide us over beautifully through Thanksgiving and until the Christmas (food drives) start.

“We appreciate their help. It’s awesome.”

In addition, the food bank is taking part in another Thanksgiving Food Drive that will support the Mustard Seed in Red Deer and food banks in Central Alberta.

They will be at the Central Alberta Co-op in Innisfail collecting turkeys on Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“Shine FM is doing a Time For Turkeys. We’ll be collecting frozen turkeys for the Innisfail and District Food Bank for Thanksgiving,” said Hand, noting Innisfail residents can buy and donate a frozen turkey, a Co-op gift card or cash.

”We will use gift cards and cash to buy more turkeys,” Hand concluded.

The local food bank will begin handing out turkeys to needy families on Oct. 8.


Kristine Jean

About the Author: Kristine Jean

Kristine Jean joined the Westlock News as a reporter in February 2022. She has worked as a multimedia journalist for several publications in Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta, and enjoys covering community news, breaking news, sports and arts.
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