A local food drive will help stock the shelves at the Lloydminster Salvation Army. For the fifth year members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Fort Saskatchewan are distributing bags across the city to collect food.
“What we want to do is just to give people the opportunity to give because there’s such a huge need,” says President of the local branch of the Church Darryl Oster. “Last year we collected 10,000 pounds of food, which helps about 165 individuals.”
Between today and Thursday bags will be delivered to homes on the food collection routes. The bags will be picked up on Saturday morning between 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. to give to the Salvation Army.
People will be able to donate by placing non-perishable food items in the bag before the pickup date.
“That’s one thing that we do encourage when people are giving just to check the dates on there because the Salvation Army cannot accept outdated food. Any food that’s still in good order that’s used will be redistributed to those in need in the community.”
Oster adds that the bags will have food suggestions on them as well. He says this is the major food drive between now and Christmas for the organization. Last year, the Salvation Army helped over 800 people with food.
This year’s goal for the church is to gather 12,000 pounds of food. If people don’t receive a donation bag they can drop off food at the Salvation Army in Lloydminster.
