After its forklift broke, Edmonton’s Food Bank now has 2 thanks to fundraiser and large donation
Edmonton's Food Bank has been able to replace its broken forklift and buy a second one through a community fundraiser and a donation from a local company.
In March the food bank started a month-long fundraiser to replace a broken forklift and Edmontonians raised $25,000 in five days.
"We were really surprised that people were so engaged and understood our need for this equipment," said Marjorie Bencz, director of Edmonton's Food Bank.
Equipment dealer Leavitt Machinery offered the food bank the forklifts in a buy one, get one deal. The money raised by Edmontonians bought the first, and the company provided the second free of charge.
Leavitt Machinery made a monetary donation of $30,000 to the food bank as well.
Bencz says the equipment will not only serve the organization now, but also into an uncertain future post-pandemic.
"We don't know where we're heading as far as numbers of people who will need our services or the volume of food that we're going to need but we certainly will need the warehouse, our great volunteers and equipment to do the work we're going to need to do," said Bencz.
The Edmonton food bank is on track to move around five million kilograms of food this year.
"Without this equipment you can imagine how much labour it would take to move food," said Bencz.
Edmonton's Food Bank currently feeds more than 21,000 people a month.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
The Indian couple killed in a wrong-way police chase crash on Highway 401 earlier this week has been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
2 charged after police find 'concerning and diverse' explosives at Manitoba home
Winnipeg police say they have arrested two people in their 20s after a large amount of explosives were found in a home outside of Winnipeg, Man.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Spain abolishes national bullfighting award in cultural shift
Spain scrapped an annual bullfighting award on Friday, prompting a rebuke from conservatives over a backlash against a centuries-old tradition they see as an art form but which has run into growing concern for animal welfare.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.