It’s time to lace up your walking shoes, all in the name of helping the hungry. As the St. Albert Food Bank is getting into the final weeks of preparation for its annual major food drive on Sept. 16, executive director Suzan Krecsy is asking for volunteers to hand deliver the brown bags door to door in the week or two prior. “It’s getting to crunch time now,” she said. “We’re doing 25,000 bags. There’s 113 routes.” Volunteers could sign up for more than one route and can take more than one day to finish their deliveries. They would then have to complete their route between the end of the September long weekend and Fri., Sept. 15, the day before the citywide food drive. “People just come out of the woodwork for us. It’s amazing.” The food bank holds the annual drive in order to boost its stores as demand seasonally goes up in the fall. It’s a busy time of year, especially because of kids returning to school, she said. That’s also why the food bank is prepping to host its annual Tools for School event next weekend. Schoolkids can attend to get free backpacks (provided by the United Way) filled with school supplies and gently used clothing. Volunteer hairstylists from Studio 107 will be on hand to help out with free hair trims. Everybody gets a free lunch too. It runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sat., Aug. 26. People who are interested in helping out with the grocery bag delivery should contact volunteer co-ordinator Diane Bouchard at 780-459-0599 (ext. 4) or via email at [email protected]. If anyone wants to get in on the Tools for School event, please email [email protected] or call Krecsy at the same phone number using Extension 1. Empties for Valour Place If you’ve got a bag or a box of bottles and cans, the 3rd Canadian Army Veteran (CAV) Motorcycle Unit hopes that you will consider donating them in support of Valour Place. Edmonton's Valour Place is a barrier-free 12-bedroom centre for temporary residential accommodations for all current and veteran members of the Canadian Forces and RCMP, first responders, families of the fallen, and their family members who require medical treatment in Edmonton but live outside the city/area. People can make their donations at the St. Albert Animal Clinic at 22 St. Anne St. until Sept. 1. Fun run for CASA The fifth annual ATB Family Ride supporting CASA is coming up on Labour Day but organizers are saying that it’ll be more of a fun run than hard work. Participants can walk, run or bike to help raise funds for the CASA Foundation. CASA Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health (formerly known as the Child and Adolescent Services Association) is the Edmonton organization that offers important mental health programs and services to children and youths and their families. The event starts at 10 a.m. in Churchill Square. A new family walk/run has been added to this year’s fun. More details can be found at www.casafamilyride.org.
