The Edgar Burton Christmas Food Drive in support of the Sudbury Food Bank is officially underway, and runs through until Dec. 14.
This year’s organizers turned their minds to how to safely run the beloved Sudbury holiday giving campaign amidst COVID-19.
Local businesses and organizations are encouraged to participate, either by collecting food donations or online financial donations.
A press release said that while organizers appreciate that contactless donations may be preferable and are certainly appreciated during this unprecedented year, they continue to graciously accept food donations from local businesses and organizations who have been such an important driver behind the food drive’s longstanding success.
COVID-19 protocols have been put in place to ensure that volunteers and participant safety remains the top priority throughout the campaign.
“The Edgar Burton Christmas Food Drive has become synonymous with the holiday season in Sudbury,” said Vale campaign co-chair Sarah Yasinchuk, in a press release.
“But this year, it’s falling amidst a time when the community is facing significant challenges brought about by COVID-19.”
Organizers stress that there has never been a more critical time to support one another but are confident that the community will rally around its most vulnerable.
“This year’s campaign is as important as ever,” said USW Co-Chair Owen Marcotte. “Thankfully, I know the Sudbury community will help make this a success, as they have every year.”
“The Edgar Burton Christmas Food Drive is vital for the Sudbury Food Bank, especially this year,” said Sudbury Food Bank president Mellaney Dahl. “Through the continued generosity of local businesses and residents, we are able to feed about 11,000 clients every month and try to be prepared for an uncertain future in the face of this pandemic.
“It’s everyone working together that makes this possible. No one can feed everyone, but everyone can feed someone.”
Edgar Burton, a Vale employee and member of the United Steelworkers Local 6500, started the annual food drive 33 years ago when his daughters asked him if they could start collecting food for people who were going hungry in their community in his workplace.
Since then, the campaign has grown to include hundreds of businesses, organizations and schools which have collected over 1,000 tons of food for the Sudbury Food Bank since it first began.
Reserve troops from the Canadian Armed Forces 2nd Battalion Irish Regiment will be picking up donations from participating businesses and organizations Dec. 14-16.
For more information about the Edgar Burton Christmas Food Drive and how to participate, visit www.sudburyfoodbank/edgarburton or contact 705-682-8200 or [email protected]. You can also follow the campaign on social media with #onemorecan.
