By John Watson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Wheatland County Food Bank has received a $10,000 donation, as well as nearly 2,700 pounds of food as a result of the Calgary Co-op Fill Your Boots campaign.

The annual campaign is run through the entire Calgary Co-op association, with each store location raising money through the sale of food bags for its local food bank. 

This year, the Strathmore location came in third among participating stores for most bags sold, generating $5,000 in donations. The sum was then matched by the community foundation.

Executive Director of the Wheatland County Food Bank, Lynette Aschenbrenner, said the donation was the largest the food bank has ever received through the campaign. 

“It’s a huge impact – it allows us to buy more fresh stuff for our hampers and it just keeps us going all the way throughout the year,” she said. “People are more aware of the need right now, so I think that’s why it was so big.”

Aschenbrenner added COVID-19 has only highlighted the necessity of the organization, and reliance on the food bank is never something that will cease entirely.

This item is reprinted with permission from the Strathmore, AB, Strathmore Times. For the complete article, click HERE

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