On Sunday, Okotokians filled their trunks with food donations and headed to the Recreation Centre for a rather unconventional food drive.

Due to health concerns over the pandemic, social distancing and sanitation were emphasized, with volunteers collecting donations from cars and donators remaining in their vehicles for the duration of the process.

The event was a third party food drive with little involvement from the Okotoks Food Bank Association, though Executive Director Pamela McLean says she made some recommendations for the sanitation side of things to organizer Rebecca Eaton.

"Rebecca was fully aware of the protocols we have in place at the food bank. I'm delighted at how well everyone performed. There was a lot of social distancing, no one got out of their vehicles, the volunteers were great, it worked well."

Donations were loaded into a truck and transported by Simply Floors to their facility, where the donations will remain for a few days to ensure they food isn't contaminated.

Though it hasn't been weighed yet, McLean says she got a peek at how much was donated.

"I've been doing this for over a year now, and it looks like at least 2000 pounds to my eye, if not more. Bless their hearts, they've gathered at least 2000 pounds to put on our shelves."

She says Foothills residents haven't forgotten the food bank despite the current state of affairs throughout the world.

"We've never felt so loved and cared for. The community has rallied around us, our MLA touches base with us once a week to make sure we're doing okay; we're so very grateful at the help the community is willing to offer for us."

Another drive-thru style food drive is taking place in High River on Sunday, March 29th from 1-4 in the parking lot of the Salvation Army Foothills Church.

 

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