Photo: Salvation Army Grande Prairie and Area / Facebook

By Liam Verster

Food Bank Fundraiser

Virtual Food Drive raises $103,000 for food hampers

Oct 10, 2020 | 6:00 AM

Despite having to be held virtually this year, the annual Rotary Community Food Bank Drive has raised over $103,000 for the hamper program at the Grande Prairie and Area Salvation Army.

The annual food bank drive had to be done virtually this year, due to COVID-19 concerns, but Lori Pollock, the co-chair of the Community Food Bank Drive, says that didn’t stop people from helping those less fortunate in the community.

Through work with the Salvation Army, the current need for the food hamper program was determined, and Pollock says she’s very pleased with how they did.

“With over $100,000 coming in, it should go between eight and ten weeks of hampers. That’s at 20 to 25 hampers (handed out) a day,” says Pollock.

She adds that though it was a successful campaign, the organizers and volunteers did miss the traditional door-to-door canvassing.

“It was such a great experience getting everybody together and seeing how generous everyone was in the ways that they could support. I think everybody missed the camaraderie. We did too, so we’re looking forward to being able to do that again.

“But we’re just appreciative that we were able to come up with another way to support that need.”

Pollock adds that she’s not only grateful to all the individuals who helped contribute to the cause, but the other organizations and companies who also found creative ways to raise donations and help out.

Though the Food Bank Drive officially closed on September 30, there are still a few more donations rolling in, and there are also other ways to help the cause over the winter months.

Throughout October, a dollar from each of the Cars for Christmas tickets sold will go towards food security programs at eight food banks in the Peace Region. Also, the TJ Ruckus band will hold an online Live Sound Stage event on October 17th, with all the funds raised going to the food banks.

The Salvation Army also accepts donations which will go directly towards putting together a hamper and supplying people in need with food and other necessities over the winter months.