Suzan Krecsy is never disappointed with the generosity of the people of St. Albert.
The executive director of the St. Albert Food Bank and Community Village sees how so much hard work and selflessness makes what could be an otherwise emotionally difficult job into a rather joyful one.
“I don’t know where I’d be without them,” she said, referring to the 75 regular volunteers that work with the agency. “Such a great team to work with. They make my job so much easier.”
She’s in pretty good spirits these days. Last month’s annual food drive reaped in a whopping 23,800 kilograms (52,500 lbs.) beating its goal of 22,700 kg (50,000 lbs.). Even that figure is conservative, she admits, as some donations from that day are still coming in to be counted.
“This city never fails us, ever. Ever. Every time we put a goal, they at least meet it or beat it.”
Considering that the agency distributes about 11,000 kg (24,000 lbs.) each month, there’s a bit of breathing space to cope with the still rising demand for more hampers. There were about 1,700 families that were served with hampers for 2009. This year looks to match that figure or exceed it. Krecsy just hopes people keep donating as much as they can to help out their fellow citizens in need.
At the same time, she is thankful for the abundance of community support she has seen in the last months. She couldn’t help but send out a list of all of the people and groups who have given their time and talents to make the food bank a successful and still growing operation.
She spent Friday morning with members of the Salvation Army Church who were there helping to compile hampers for the Thanksgiving weekend. She rambled off a list of major supporters that often stand in the shadows but still deserve some recognition, even if it’s just once a year. That list includes:
• Ash Khan of Management Information Group.
• John Engel of Mission Fun and Games.
• Mike Pascuzzo and Canadian Tire.
• St. Albert Cruisers.
• Ron Hodgson car dealership.
• McGavin’s Bakery.
• The Salvation Army Church and Marcia Berrisford, its recently reinstalled family and community support co-ordinator.
• The Red Willow Community Church and the 400 volunteers who worked this year’s drive.
• All of the grocery stores that donate food and offer space for donation bins.
• The numerous other churches, schools and other groups that do their bit to bring in more donations as well, plus all of the citizens who contributed during the food drive and throughout the year.
Lastly, she thanked the Gazette and its team of reporters for the support and news coverage.
“It’s a real community effort.”
