It was once again a time when residents of our community showed that we are one big team and we love to give and support everyone.
The 24th Annual Syncrude Food Drive took place this weekend with the goal of raising funds and food for the families in need across our region to ensure no one goes hungry this holiday season and over the winter.
The week began with the Corporate Challenge on Thursday, December 1 with Syncrude’s CEO Mark Ward who pledged $200,000 live on both Country 93.3 and 97.9 Rock. The pledge doubled Syncrude’s donation last year and was a great start to kick off the event.
Every business and corporation were encouraged to call in and donate, and the response was evident. Overall, the Wood Buffalo Food Bank set a goal of $350,000 and together Fort McMurray, you raised $553,290.
The Corporate Challenge was then followed by the Syncrude Food Drive December 2 to 4.
In previous years, the weather was nasty, but this year we were very fortunate to catch the last of the warmer temperatures before the cold and it showed as over 700 volunteers came out to help.
Wilson trucks donated all nine of their trucks and stationed them at every local grocery store and Wal-Mart while the Wood Buffalo Food Bank van was parked outside of the Anzac Grocery Store.
Over the three days, an additional $60,664.15 was raised in monetary donations while the Food Bank had a goal of 75-thousand pounds of food and that was raised and topped as 80,622 pounds of food was donated.
The Food Bank would like to send out special thanks to the Suncor Children’s Christmas party as they raised and donated $9140.25 dollars and 1866 pounds of food to add to the totals.
After not taking part in the event last year, the Anzac Grocery store collected 2528 pounds of food and $267.50. Additionally, the Anzac/Bill Woodward schools pledged $5000 worth of groceries purchased at the Anzac Grocery store.
“The success of the 2016 Syncrude Food Drive and Corporate Challenge could not have been imagined in my wildest dreams,” states Arianna Johnson, Executive Director of the Wood Buffalo Food Bank. “With 20,000 people missing from our city, the economy crippling our families and our region, and the cost of our recent experiences, we braced to see a dip in this years giving. However, in true Fort McMurray style, when the call went out the community responded as they have so many times before and I am sure they will again. It is the first time since the May that I have felt the comfort of home wrapped around me and been at peace.”
In total, the 2016 Syncrude Food Drive and Corporate Challenge raised a grand total of $613,954.15 in monetary donations and 80,622 pounds of food.
The Board and staff of the Wood Buffalo Food Bank would like to thank their donors, volunteers and supporters over the course of the event.
The sponsors include Syncrude who was the title sponsor, Wilson for the use of their trucks, Driving Force for the use of their minivans and cube van, Top Knotch Doors for their help doing pick-ups and for their grocery bags, Noralta Lodge for the volunteer snacks, Devco for our banners and signage, Chartwell’s for the coffee and hot water they provided us every day for volunteers, and 97.9 Rock and Country 93.3 for being their media sponsor.
A list of the 2016 Syncrude Food Drive and Corporate Challenge sponsors will be found on the Wood Buffalo Food Bank’s website: Wood Buffalo Food Bank
