The RFDA is bringing back its annual Harvest for Hunger food drive to kick off its busy fall and holiday season.
It was cancelled in 2020, but is back Thursday night, Friday night, and all day Saturday at 13 local grocery stores.
Community Services Manager Brendan Carlin is hopeful that they will get plenty of donations to supply local food banks. “We’re excited to have it back, and we hope that the public will be generous, as they always are, and we’ll see how it goes. It’s our first time post-COVID, so we’re kind of [in] uncharted territory.”
Volunteers will provide a list of items you can pick up during your shopping and donate on your way out.
Carlin calls it a “big undertaking,” involving around 150 volunteers.
“It is amazing,” he says. “Especially with COVID, and it’s been a strange couple of years, and we didn’t have it last year, but our volunteers and our member organizations are excited about getting this going again this year.”
The drive is also meant to raise awareness of the need for food banks and meal programs in the community.
“One of the taglines we’re using for this food drive is ‘Harvest for Hunger is back, but the need never left.’ People remain in need of food, and in need of help,” Carlin points out.
While the drive is happening ahead of Thanksgiving, he notes that their partner organizations are already prepared for their Thanksgiving hampers or meal programs, and the donations will be used through the coming months.
The locations include:
- Real Canadian Superstore
- Wholesale Club
- All Metro locations
- Westfort Foods
- Skaf’s
- Odena in Kakabeka
- Walmart Memorial Avenue
- Both NoFrills locations
