The Prince Albert Food Bank held an in-person food event, something that COVID has prevented them from doing in recent years. (File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Rob Mahon

Fill the Bus

Food bank holds first in-person food drive event in years at street fair

Jun 20, 2022 | 5:00 PM

The street fair on Central Avenue in Prince Albert this Saturday was a massive community event but it was more than just a chance for people to get together.

It was also a big day for the Prince Albert Food Bank.

During the event, the food bank held a fill the bus drive to raise as much food as possible before one of their busier seasons. Donors showed up in droves and helped pack the bus with food for those in need.

“We actually got a fair amount of food, especially for an event like that,” said Kim Scruby, executive director of the Prince Albert Food Bank. “I couldn’t be happier.”

While they don’t have an actual weight yet for the amount of food they got, the fact that people were carrying food to them in the scorching heat impressed Scruby. It had been a while since the food bank had been able to hold such an event.

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“Because of COVID, that was the first actual food drive that we’ve held in about three years,” said Scruby. “It was great to get back out in front of the community and that type of thing. The response was great.”

In addition to the relief at being able to hold a food drive in person once again, the drive also came at a time where the food bank needs it most. Inflation and the rising cost of food has put additional pressure on them in recent months.

“We don’t ask a lot of questions of people coming in for food,” Scruby said. “But it seems we’re seeing a huge increase in employed family household types.”

From here, the food bank is still in need of donations of many of the things they typically need most, such as rice, pasta, crackers, and soup. Summertime doesn’t see any drop in demand either as kids are home from school and not getting meals during the day as often.

“Summer is actually one of our busier times,” said Scruby. “Thus far, year to date we’ve been a lot busier than normal for springtime and June so far, and we’re expecting a busy summer.”

Scruby added they’re already planning another fill the bus event for the fall, which they’ll host at a local grocery store. He also said that people from regular donors to volunteers often go to the lake in the summer, which can make scheduling a little more difficult.

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP