Several local businesses, including Innisfail & District Chamber of Commerce members, are continuing their contributions to relief efforts to help Fort McMurray evacuee families.
Both of Innisfail's major grocery stores have stepped up to give to families and relief efforts.
Kevin's nofrills sent a pallet of water to people stranded or delayed on Highway 63 as they were evacuating the municipality on May 3. The Innisfail store has also raised $4,621 through donations from staff and customers.
The store's parent company, Loblaw Companies Limited, has also committed $300,000 in cash and in-kind donations towards the ongoing fire relief efforts in Fort McMurray.
“The generosity of our customers and colleagues has been overwhelming,” said Kevin Meyer, owner of Kevin's nofrills in an email. “In just four days more than $2.7 million has been donated in our stores,” he added, noting through the network of grocery stores, customers have contributed $2,519,586 through point-of-sale donations.
Loblaw's partnering Shoppers Drug Mart stores have also collected more than 54 million Shoppers Optimum points or $93,000, donated by customers. In addition, $267,857 in cash donations was collected. Shoppers Drug Mart has matched the first $25,000 in donations and is also facilitating the distribution of emergency prescription refills.
Meyer noted that Loblaw Companies Limited is providing essential items like food, water, toiletries and pet food to emergency shelters and to the Canadian Red Cross.
“Several of our trailers loaded with these essential items have made their way to the evacuation areas in Lac La Biche and Edmonton and to the first responders in Fort McMurray,” he said.
Innisfail Co-op is also helping relief efforts for Fort McMurray evacuees. Donations are being accepted through cashiers at the local Co-op and Central Alberta Co-op will match donations up to a maximum of $5,000. All proceeds raised are going to the Canadian Red Cross.
Other local businesses, including chamber members, are also helping out.
Royal Bank of Canada, ATB Financial, Scotiabank and the Innisfail Royal Canadian Legion are all accepting monetary donations.
The local chamber is accepting donations for the Chamber Relief Trust Fund. “When residents are allowed to return to Fort McMurray this fund is used to assist the businesses of Fort McMurray and Woodland County reestablish, providing employment for (local) residents,” said Carla Gabert, manager of the Innisfail & District Chamber of Commerce in an email.
The Alberta Chamber of Commerce (ACC) is helping coordinate relief efforts in the Wood Buffalo and Fort McMurray region with help from the Chamber Relief Trust Fund.
The Chamber Relief Trust Fund was first utilized to support the business communities affected by the 2013 floods in southern Alberta.
"We have been in contact with the president and executive director of the Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce and asked them once they have returned to the area and have a solid assessment of the situation, to contact us to help coordinate supports," said ACC president and chief executive officer Ken Kobly in a press release on May 4.
"The focus right now is the issue of fighting and containing the fire, but we are anticipating the Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce will require assistance going forward to remain stable and provide much-needed support to the local business community."
Kevin Meyer, owner of Kevin's nofrills
"The generosity of our customers and colleagues has been overwhelming."
