It's a "grain" of hope for those in need.
The Okotoks Food Bank received a significant boost in support from the community during the Annual Community Food Drive, collecting approximately 26,000 lbs of food and household essentials. The drive took place on September 19, with volunteers from the food bank and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints collecting donations throughout the community.
According to Bente Yanota, Executive Director of the Okotoks Food Bank, the organization is grateful for the community’s support. “We’re very fortunate that the community came together and could help us on this very important day,” Yanota said.
The donations will be used to support the food hamper program and to supplement the Help Yourself Shelf Program. Financial donations also played an important role, allowing the Food Bank to purchase perishable foods such as milk, cheese, yogurt, and butter.
A large team of volunteers from the food bank and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints supported the food drive, with Sunbelt Rentals donating a forklift to help move the large volume of food around the food bank’s warehouse.
Yanota emphasized that the annual food drive is about more than just filling the Food Bank’s shelves. “Our community stands with us to help us once a year to fill up the shelves, and that we can just continue to offer substantial hampers to our families,” she said.
The donations will be sorted through by volunteers over the next few months, with Yanota estimating that it will take some time to inspect each item and ensure that it is still usable.
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