Loraas Environmental Services is kicking off support for the 2021 Food Bank Food Drive. (Submitted photo/Loraas Environmental Services Ltd.)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

Food Drive

Loraas Environmental set for annual food drive

Nov 16, 2021 | 1:14 PM

‘Tis the season for community support.

Loraas Environmental Services is bringing back their annual Food Bank Food Drive for Dec. 17, where employees will gather non-perishable food for the Empty Stocking Fund. Having emergency food supplies is a particularly important need for the Food Bank ahead of the holiday season.

Operations supervisor Jordan Gifford said it’s a vital function during this season for both the organization and the businesses who partner with them. The goal for this year’s drive is 10,000 pounds of food.

“It’s important to give back to the community through the food bank,” he said.

(Submitted photo/Loraas Environmental Services Ltd.)

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The province recently came under criticism for the negative impact on housing that came from the implementation of the Saskatchewan Income Support program (SIS), for which the government has now made changes. With a number of people still struggling economically, there’s some belief there could be a surge of people in need.

Food banks across Saskatchewan are in constant need of canned items like soup, fruit, vegetables, stew, fish and beans. Other non-perishable food purchases that can be added include cereal, pasta, condiments and spices.

Gifford added that the drive is one of the most looked forward to moments of the year for the company and its employees. Loraas cycles through people working during the day to have them take turns in helping the drive. They also commandeer a Christmas sleigh to pick up and drop off donations.

“Everyone likes getting involved and we’re excited after last year,” Gifford said. “It makes for a fun day for the employees and the businesses that we go to and then we get to give back.”

(submitted/Loraas Environmental Services Ltd.)

Pandemic related restrictions had an impact on non-profits across the province in 2020, which included the food bank food drives.

“We had 20 participating businesses in 2019, last year we just only had 14,” Gifford said. “I don’t know the weight from 2019, it was somewhere around 8,000, but in 2020 we had just shy of 2,000 pounds of food donated.”

While they’re more hopeful regarding the donation total, Gifford said they are still taking precautions. Anyone delivering and picking up food items will be following health and safety protocols.

“The only other change is when we have businesses sign up, we will just ask if there’s any special restrictions to follow when picking up the donations there.”

Residents and businesses that are interested in supporting the food drive can register by calling 306-445-3900 or emailing customer.service@lorassenviro.ca.

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