Prince Albert Food Bank's annual Thanksgiving Food Drive outside of the city's Walmart. (Jaryn Vecchio/paNOW Staff)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Local Fundraiser

P.A. Food Bank holding annual Thanksgiving Food Drive

Oct 5, 2023 | 12:00 PM

Staff and volunteers for Prince Albert’s Food Bank are braving the cold and wet weather to help fill hundreds of hampers for their clients.

The non-profit is holding its annual Thanksgiving Food Drive on Thursday, parking its van in front of the city’s Walmart in hopes of collecting donations from passersby.

“We’re hoping to fill the van and it’s a big van,” joked Kim Scruby, the executive director of the Food Bank.

If the Food Bank hits its goal, this would fill around three weeks’ worth of hampers. In previous years, that number would have been larger as they’re currently handing out more hampers than they’ve ever had to before.

“When I started six years ago we averaged about 700, 750 (hampers) per month. It hasn’t quite doubled but we’re getting there,” said Scruby.

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It didn’t take long for the Food Bank to start receiving donations as people started stopping by shortly after setting up.

One of those who donated was Lorraine Denes who came to Walmart to fill a prescription but ended up buying a couple of bags of groceries to donate.

“When I see the food truck I try to donate and I know there’s a lot of needy families out there, so I like to help,” she said.

Left to right: Laura Uvery, operations manager for the Food Bank; Lorraine Denes, and Kim Scruby, the executive director of the Food Bank. (Jaryn Vecchio/paNOW Staff)

The Food Drive is being held until 6 p.m. Along with food, the Food Bank is also accepting things like diapers and household items.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow