Less fortunate people of Sundre are able to eat a Christmas meal today because of the community's efforts in donating to Santa's Anonymous.
Two horse-drawn wagons full of volunteers took to the streets of Sundre on Dec. 16, knocking on doors and collecting donations for the 9th Annual Food Drive. The donations collected were provided to Santa's Anonymous, a program that provides for less fortunate people during the holidays.
From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., members of Sundre Search and Rescue as well as participants from the Sundre 4-H and Bergen 4-H groups – which involve people from ages seven to 21 – covered the north and south ends of Sundre. Two volunteers from the Sundre fire department participated as well.
The team collected non-perishable food, toys, clothing, and even money donations.
“I want to say thanks to the whole town of Sundre for supporting us year after year,” said Heather Kidd, the organizer of the food drive.
She said in order for people participating in the food drive to stay warm, it was held during the day. However, it has been held during weekday evenings in past years, causing a shortage in the results of this year's donations collected. She added they were also short a wagon.
“It looked very comparable with last year (amount of donations). We were down one wagon so we missed a chunk of town that we typically do,” said Kidd.
She said for next year she hopes to have three wagons up and running and to build more awareness of when the event will be held.
“We had a few people driving around town to find us because they weren't home,” said Kidd, adding that a number of people left food donations outside.
She said during the day, Santa's Anonymous volunteers and youth groups from churches in Sundre were collecting donations from the wagons and taking them to the program's workshop. Sundre Sobeys donated refreshments and doughnuts for the groups participating in the food drive.
Mary Gunderson, coordinator of Santa's Anonymous, said she is happy with the results of the food drive even though they were down. She has already received calls from locals who missed the food drive and are still dropping off donations.
“A big thank you to the community and a big thank you to 4-H and Search and Rescue and the different groups that helped out yesterday,” said Gunderson.
She said their goal for next year is “to do as well or better” and make sure people are aware of when it will be happening.
