(Supplied by Taber Food Bank)

By Karsen Marczuk

Taber Foodbank hosts annual Stuff A Bus event

Jun 1, 2021 | 1:15 PM

TABER, AB- The “Hunger Does Not Take A Vacation” Stuff A Bus Food Drive hosted by the Taber Foodbank is in full swing on Tuesday.

Two school buses have been set up at the Taber IGA and South Country Co-op Taber, where customers can drop off non-perishable items and monetary donations, with all donations going to the Taber Foodbank.

The event coincides with saving events at both grocery stores.

Kevin Leahy, President of the Taber Foodbank Society, says these types of events are important for the Foodbank for numerous reasons.

“Number one, it helps stock the shelves at the Foodbank, as summer is coming up and hunger doesn’t stop just because school is out and because we are having fun in the summertime, we still go through a lot of food during the summer. Number two, it’s important that we maintain our support for people in the community and help those in need. Thirdly, it’s also important that people have the opportunity to give back to the Foodbank, allowing us to help those who may be in need.”

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The Taber Foodbank has received support from various organizations and businesses to help make the Stuff A Bus event possible.

Saunders Insurance created pre-packaged hampers, Taber Fire Fighters Association delivered the food, First Student Canada supplied two buses. Moonlight Graphics created posters and signs, and Phynix Signs displayed a roadside sign to raise awareness of Tuesday’s event. Co-op and IGA hosted the Stuff A Bus event. As well, North and Company, Taber Royal Bank and Taber and District Housing, and Agencies and Businesses for assisting and promoting the event.

The Taber Foodbank is looking for non-perishable food donations including:

• Canned meals: soup, chili, stew, ravioli, alphagetti
• Dry soup mix
• Cheese Whiz
• Beef and chicken broth
• Peanut butter and jam
• Ketchup, mustard and relish
• Juice crystals
• Diapers: size 4-5-6
• Pull-ups: Boys 2/3, Girls 4/5
• Kleenex and Paper towels
• Lysol wipes
• Multi purpose cleaner
• Men’s/Women’s deodorant
• Tax receipt-able cash donation

Leahy says the events put on by the Foodbank wouldn’t be able to go ahead without the help of the community and dedicated volunteers.

“One of the struggles that the Foodbank has faced is getting volunteers inside the Foodbank to do daily chores. We have a core group of volunteers that have stuck with us right from the beginning of COVID-19 all the way till now. But, at other times we had groups come in such as hockey teams, sports teams, and school classes, to help with projects. We’ve missed that contact for quite a while now and we’re looking forward to the day that we can open again to them.”

The Taber Foodbank says COVID-19 has put a damper on events that they host throughout the year, but Leahy says the biggest food drive, Cornfest, is still set to go ahead this year.

The Stuff A Bus Food Drive runs on Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at both the Taber South Country Co-op and Taber IGA. If you can’t make it to the event, you can still drop off donations at the Foodbank during operating hours.