Fall is just around the corner and that means students are back in school, the leaves are changing colours, and the St. Albert Food Bank is rallying the troops for a very big event.
Saturday is the social agency's annual food drive, and its executive director, Suzan Krecsy, has a lot of hopes riding on it.
After all, this has not been an easy year for a lot of people.
"We're going through some tough times. We want to make this drive the biggest and best ever because it's got to carry us through. The last plea that we put out, the response was phenomenal. We're just asking this one more time just to see if they can get us through because this will take us to Christmas."
Fall also marks a time when donations usually decrease while demand goes in the other direction. Since the start of 2015, there has been an unusual upsurge in client demand because of the downswing in the economy.
There is still that upsurge but at least now, due to repeated pleas for help over the summer, there has been a rise in donations as well. It's still very busy at the food bank.
Her goal is to amass 60,000 pounds of food during that one-day drive, up from last year's goal of 50,000 lbs. Considering the times, that might still be a little short, she noted.
"If we're looking at what we're putting out every month, that's two months' worth of food," she continued.
Volunteers have already delivered 20,000 paper bags, one to each household in the city.
"Each bag that we put out, if everybody put in 10 lbs, that's 200,000 lbs. of food. Even if they put in five pounds, that's 100,000 lbs. We're just asking that people put something in every bag."
The annual food drive takes place this Saturday. Please have your bagged donations of non-perishable food items on your doorsteps by noon. If you have fruit trees that you won't be harvesting for your own use, you can donate the produce from them too.
If you live in a household that didn't receive a bag for whatever reason, please use any bag – paper or plastic – and just make sure that it's on your doorstep by noon on Saturday.
Krecsy paid huge thanks to both the volunteers who delivered the bags and to the Red Willow Community Church at 15 Corriveau Ave. The church has partnered with the food bank for more than 27 years to make this event a lasting success. Drivers and runners are still required. Interested members of the public can contact the church at 780-458-4644 for more details.
Call 780-459-0599 or visit www.stalbertfb.com for more details.
Walkers take on bladder cancer
Organizers are preparing a new walk to raise both awareness and money to help the fight against bladder cancer.
Bladder cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the country with more than 8,000 people being diagnosed each year. Despite its prevalence, it remains relatively unknown.
The Edmonton Walk for Bladder Cancer will take place on Sun., Sept. 27 at Whitemud Park. More information can be found at www.bladdercancercanada.org.
Money raised will go toward funding newer methods of detection, treatment and support.
