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
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have 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.
BREAKING Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are moving on to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
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.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
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.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
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.
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.