Dec. 10 UPDATE: The Airdrie Food Bank has announced the Mayor's Drive-Thru Food Drive has been cancelled due to additional COVID-19 restrictions implemented by the Province announced on Dec. 8.
"It doesn't mean people can't give, it just means we can't be festive about it," said Christine Taylor, manager of events, marketing and communications with the Airdrie Food Bank (AFB).
Taylor said the AFB is still encouraging people to contribute by online donations, food bin drop-offs, etransfer or checking out the online auction tied to the eighth annual Corey Mace Turkey Drive, which runs until Dec. 19. For more information, visit airdriefoodbank.com
Original story: The Airdrie Food Bank (AFB) has found creative ways to get people involved with the inaugural Mayor’s Drive-Thru Food Drive, which is set to take place Dec. 13.
“Because of COVID-19, we thought the drive-thru food drive would be a fun and safe idea,” said Christine Taylor, manager of events, marketing and communications with the food bank. “We have never done this before, [so] we are super excited.”
According to Taylor, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., food bank volunteers will be stationed outside of the building to accept food donations right from people’s vehicles. Santa Claus will also be in attendance, and Christmas music will be played by Big Deez DJ.
“We just want it to be a really fun event,” Taylor said. “We were not able to host our Empty Bowls event, which is primarily our thank you to our community. Because we weren’t able to do that, we thought it would be great to host a food drive and thank our community.”
People will be outside directing traffic while masked volunteers take in donations.
“Santa Claus and his little helpers will be there to hand out fun little treat bags to say thank you,” Taylor said, adding Airdrie-Banff MP Blake Richards and Mayor Peter Brown will also be in attendance.
She said the public’s reception to the new event has been great. She added she has heard from locals who are already compiling donations in preparation for the food drive.
“It’s kind of exciting to see the community is so excited about it,” she said. “It is also super easy. You load up your car while doing errands on Sunday, drive by the Airdrie Food Bank, it shouldn’t take more than a few minutes, you’ll be on your way and you’ll be helping so many people.”
According to Taylor, there is no specific goal in terms of food donations. She just wants everybody to have fun.
“It has been a tricky time,” she said. “I am so proud of everybody I work with. We have all adjusted so well through all of this and we have still managed to feed everybody. We could all use a little pick-me-up.”
Taylor said November and December are two of the most important months to gather food for the Airdrie Food Bank, as 70 to 80 per cent of the food it takes in is donated during the holiday months.
While it has not been an easy year for many, including the Airdrie Food Bank – which had to cancel many large fundraising events like the City Wide Food Drive that brought in 33,000 pounds of food – Taylor said the team is remaining hopeful due to the outpouring of support from the community.
“Over the last few weeks, our community has just poured the love into the Airdrie Food Bank,” she said. “Whether it was online donations, or food, people are finding creative ways to give. Our hearts are so warm and cozy with people who want to help.”
Jordan Stricker, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @Jay_Strickz
