Volunteers were expected to make their way through Sundre on two horse-drawn wagons Sunday afternoon collecting food for Santa's Anonymous.
It was the 10th annual food drive conducted by members of Sundre's 4-H Club and Bergen's 4-H Club, as well as Sundre Search and Rescue.
The volunteers planned to go door to door and collect non-perishable food items, money, stuffed animals and toys for the program.
“This year is our 10th year so we're pretty excited about that,” said food drive organizer Heather Kidd.
“It gets bigger each year. Each year we have more and more families that if they're not home they leave us food outside in bags. And more families are tracking us down on the street to give us food.”
Santa's Anonymous is a program that provides for less fortunate people during the Christmas season. The donations collected from the food drive each year are a significant source for the program.
The exact results of the food drive are unknown, as the food is not weighed or counted. Volunteers drive around town to collect donations from the wagons during the process. They then take them over to Santa's Workshop, located on Centre Street, which is where all the donations are taken to and sorted.
“We've never been able to keep track. Once we give the food to Santa's Anonymous we really have no idea,” she said.
However, both wagons are usually full.
The food drive not only benefits Santa's Anonymous, but is also a benefit to the volunteers. The 4-H clubs involve people aged seven to 21.
“It's really important for the kids to help give back. It teaches them a lot about selflessness,” she said.
Without the support of the community the food drive would not be successful for 10 consecutive years, she added.
Kim Free, program coordinator for Santa's Anonymous, said the food drive is a big help to the program.
“There are lots of families in need. Last year there were 159 hampers made up and so as you can imagine, to get all the food and gifts and things to fill those hampers, it does take quite a lot,” said Free.
“So any little bit of food or donations help.”
