Scott Safety rocks another fantastic food drive for the Whitecourt Food Bank

Back in December of last year, Scott Safety held a food bank drive in support of the Whitecourt Food Bank. Going in, they had no idea what the outcome would be. They just knew that they wanted to do something special for those less fortunate. To their sheer amazement, the community came out in significant numbers, supporting them even more than they ever could’ve imagined. Set out in front of Walmart, they said that people would come out of the store and roll carts towards their ambulance as they stocked it with all the most needed items.

“We stocked their shelves at the food bank for six months. They were overwhelmed by it. I think it was the single biggest donation they ever received. They just had to do their first grocery order last month,” said Lynden Schwindt, purchasing coordinator with Scott Safety. “We are hoping that’s the only one they will have to do this year because we are hoping we can fill their shelves for another six months.”

On Thursday, August 29, they set themselves up just outside the front entrance of Walmart with an ambulance ready to fill for their second food bank drive. They started at 11 am and planned to stay until 2 pm. “We will stay longer if it’s busy so that we can collect as much as possible,” she said. With one hour left to go of their scheduled time, the ambulance was just over halfway full, including a front section full of diapers.  Fire Extinguisher Divisional Coordinator Tyson Boulanger, was posted outside of the store and helped place items into the ambulance. He said that it felt great to be able to help the community. Every few minutes, someone would walk up with items to add to the growing mountain of bags in the back of the vehicle.

“We just wanted to be more community involved. It’s a very tightknit town, and everybody wants to help so we thought we would do our part. It has been a great success,” smiled Schwindt. “It helps everybody feel like they are that much closer to the community, and everybody was enthusiastic about doing it again.” Once the team wrapped up their drive, they left flyers behind at the tellers so that shoppers could see what items are needed most at the food bank. “Hopefully they will continue donating even when we are no longer around. Anything helps. A box of Kraft dinner or a bundle of diapers. Anything from the list, even if it is small, is appreciated.”

Schwindt said that she and the staff of Scott Safety are grateful for the community’s support once again. “This only happens with the help of our generous community members. We are just facilitating, and it’s everybody’s generosity that makes things like this come together. Thank you!”