DIDSBURY - The Lions Club's annual food drive is set for Sept. 28 in Didsbury. Although the food drive has been around for many, many years, the need has never been greater.
Lions member and food drive coordinator Vance van Dam said that the club has been collecting food for the area food bank for at least 15-20 years.
Van Dam said that despite the downturn in the economy, last year was a record year.
"We really want to thank the residents of Didsbury for their contributions last year," said van Dam. "It was a record year in a year that we thought we might be a bit down on donations due to the economy. It was greatly appreciated to have that response."
The Lions Club collects both food and money for the Mountain View Food Bank. Although the food bank is in Olds, it services the entire region.
"It's very important for us to continue with this great cause," said Van Dam.
The Lions Club also relies on help from a number of Westglen students in exchange for a small donation.
"Without their help we'd have a really tough time doing it because it's a lot of ground to cover," he said.
People can expect canvassers coming to their doors between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Oct. 28.
"We encourage people if they aren't going to be home from work early by 5 p.m. that they can leave their donations on their front steps and just mark it for the Lions' food drive," said van Dam.
"We're collecting non-perishables such as canned goods, toilet paper, toothpaste, anything non-perishable. We can't take home preserves but pretty much anything else."
The Lions also accept cash or cheques, which helps the food bank pay for items such as meat and dairy.
Last year the food drive collected more than 6,668 pounds of food, which is valued at $16,670, as well as $950 in cash and cheques.
