Residents came together to support the Wood Buffalo Food Bank (WBFB) with a special one-day food drive.
Alexis Germain and her husband, Jamie, started the Donate From Home Community Food Drive in support of the WBFB.
She said they got the idea after speaking with one of the food bank’s volunteers earlier this month.
“One of the volunteers there mentioned they were having trouble keeping up with donations because they now can’t do any of the canvassings in front of the stores [due] to COVID-19.”
The WBFB postponed their annual Spring Food Drive as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
READ MORE: Servus Spring Food Drive postponed
Germain said she and her husband started brainstorming ideas on how to help without breaking physical distancing orders.
“So [we thought] why don’t we go to the community, and organize a food drive where we physically come and pick up your food as long as you leave it out on your doorstep? Well come pick it up and drop it off at the food bank.”
She added residents could sign up on Facebook by entering their location via a link on the social media post.
Volunteers would arrange to pick up their donations, which residents would leave on their fort porch by 10 a.m. on April 21, 2020.
Anna Noble, Communications and Development Manager with the WBFB, said they are in a need of all items.
She said they saw an increase in new clients due to the layoffs linked to the COVID-19 situation.
“Cleaning supplies, baby items, and hygiene items are some things we use on a regular basis, and a lot of people don’t think about when donating to the food bank.”
Noble said they are grateful for the support of the community.
“It’s amazing to see people thinking outside of the box and coming up with a way of doing a food drive. To see them doing that for us and bringing the donations down to us is really heartwarming.”
If residents are unable to help on that day, Germain said they can still participate in the Virtual Food Drive presented by Northland Forest Products.
READ MORE: Northland Forest Products and WBFB host virtual food drive
Northland previously said they hope the community would come forward to match their original donation to the WBFB of $25,000.
The virtual food drive concludes on April 30, 2020.
