Stuff-A-Bus campaign helping food bank get through the holidays
The annual Stuff-A-Bus campaign is running this weekend, collecting food and monetary donations for the Edmonton Food Bank.
As the festive season begins, the food bank is counting on this fundraiser to help see them through a busy time of year.
The campaign started on Nov. 23, with peace officers collecting donations to fill their cruisers.
On Saturday, ETS buses were parked outside every Save-On-Foods store in Edmonton, trying to collect enough food to fill the buses.
"We're doing this because any city, of any size, depends on empathy and helping one another out, so this is why we're happy to support Edmonton's food bank," said Peter Haight, a customer engagement associate with Edmonton Transit.
"The need for donations never goes away. Hunger is always there… hunger never takes a holiday so that's why it's important for us to keep doing this campaign year after year."
On average, the Edmonton Food Bank is serving just over 30,000 people a month currently, according to a spokesperson.
"That is more than the equivalent population of Leduc just through one program, that's the hamper program that is serving individuals and families within our community," said Tamisan Bencz-Knight, with the food bank.
"Somebody might think, 'Oh, it's only one can of beans, or one jar of peanut butter,' but when you pool that together with all the stores, all the donations, everybody giving what they can, it fills a bus and that's what's important."
The food bank also provides meals and snacks to over 300 different organizations like soup kitchens, shelters and schools.
"We are the first to feel the economic pinch and we will be the last to recover," said Bencz-Knight.
"When people have to make decisions (between) paying the rent or feeding their children and they're coming to the food bank to make those decisions… that's hard, that should not be happening."
Traditionally, the Stuff-A-Bus campaign is a large fundraiser, bringing in around 20,000 kg of food. Monetary donations are also important to the food bank, which is expecting to have spent $3 million on food purchases for 2022 alone by the end of the year.
"Just to make sure we can have those hampers, so we can have those different culturally specific items… that's a lot and that's just from us, one major food bank in Alberta," said Bencz-Knight.
Currently, the Edmonton Food Bank is seeing food leave the warehouse faster than donations can come in, which is where the monetary donations help fill the gap.
"I'm just happy that people are giving at this time, because I know there are challenges with inflation, I know even myself going to grocery stores, I'm making different decisions with my own personal purchases. We're all being impacted by this."
On Sunday, donations are being collected at the Clareview LRT station, food can be dropped off at the festively-decorated LRT car. Save-On-Foods is still collecting cash and food donations, money can also be donated through the food bank's website or by texting FEEDYEG to 20222.
For people looking for other ways to donate, the food bank is also looking for volunteers.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.