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Syncrudes 25th Wood Buffalo Food Drive aims to raise $350K

Last Updated Nov 8, 2017 at 5:33 am MDT

PHOTO. 2016 Syncrude Food Drive. Jenna Hamilton/REPORTER.

For the past 25 years, the Wood Buffalo Food Bank (WBFB) and Syncrude have been teaming up to feed the community.

The Annual Syncrude food drive is a four day event with two components, the corporate challenge, and the three day food drive.

To mark the silver anniversary of the event the WBFB is asking the community to help make this the most successful year yet and help they meet their fundraising goal of $350,000.

25 for 25 challenge 

In honour of the 25th anniversary, there is a little twist to the corporate challenge this year – the 25 for 25 challenge, beginning November 6.

“This is an initiative that we came up with in order to let those smaller businesses get involved with our 25th anniversary and make it a really special year,” said Anna Noble, volunteer coordinator with the WBFB.

The WBFB challenges all businesses, organizations, service clubs, schools and social groups to collect pledges in increments of 25 such as $2.50, $25, $250, etc. from either their employees, clients, customers, members or friends and families for 25 days leading up to the Corporate Challenge.

They have until  November 29 to collect and then they can announce their total on-air the following day during Corporate Challenge by calling into 97.9 ROCK and Country 93.3.  Anyone can join in on this challenge at any time before November 29.

 

Corporate challenge 

The corporate challenge is a 12-hour radiothon, in partnership with Country 93.3 and 97.9 ROCK, running from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 30.

To kick things off Syncrude will begin the challenge by announcing their annual corporate donation live on-air.

From there other corporations and community members are challenged to call in and make their own pledge and challenge others to do so.

“I’m really excited to be apart of the corporate challenge for a second straight year on 97.9 ROCK. It’s always amazing to see the incredible support for the food bank from businesses each year during this event,” said Taylor Pope from the “Pope Show” on 97.9 ROCK.

Everyone is welcome to call in and make a pledge.

Syncrude food drive 

PHOTO. Donations from the 2016 Syncrude Food Drive. Jenna Hamilton/Morning Reporter.

The three-day Syncrude Food Drive runs from Friday, Dec. 1 to Sunday, Dec. 3.  Volunteers will be stationed alongside H. Wilsons Tucks at all our local grocery stores, Walmart and Anzac Grocery.  They will be collecting food and monetary donations.

Volunteer appreciation event

To celebrate the 25th anniversary the WBFB will also be hosting a volunteer appreciation event on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 2 –  7 p.m., inviting everyone who has volunteered at a food drive over the last 25 years.

Volunteers will enjoy music, photo opportunities, activities, great food and the chance to explore a WBFB learning center.

The event will also be the official release of a historical book commemorating the first 25 years of the Syncrude Food Drive.  For ticket information please visit the WBFB website.

To find out more about joining the challenges contact comm@woodbuffalofoodbank.com.