COLD LAKE - The holiday season is fast approaching, and Cold Lake and District Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) is inviting the community to help spread festive cheer by supporting the much-loved Fill-A-Bus initiative.
Taking place on Nov. 30 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cold Lake Sobeys, this annual event collects non-perishable food items and monetary donations to support the Cold Lake Food Bank’s Christmas Hamper Project.
“The Fill-A-Bus volunteer initiative is a much-loved annual event. This volunteer opportunity is open to the public, collecting non-perishable foods and monetary donations for the Cold Lake Food Bank's Christmas Hamper project,” said Leanne Draper, volunteer facilitator with Cold Lake and District FCSS.
For over a decade, Fill-A-Bus has been a cornerstone of holiday giving in Cold Lake, evolving to meet the community's growing needs.
Draper noted, “This initiative has been running for over a decade. While the original reason for this initiative has remained the same - being a wonderful volunteer opportunity to support our community - the need has grown. The initiative has evolved with this, sharing a list of the most wanted food bank items with shoppers so that the highest needs of the food bank are met.”
During the event, a bus will be parked at Sobeys, ready to be filled with food donations. Shoppers can participate by picking up items from a "most needed" list available at the Sobeys foyer. These donations, along with monetary contributions, go directly toward creating Christmas hampers for families in need.
Draper added, “Monetary donations are collected and can be by cash or cheque.”
The success of Fill-A-Bus depends on dedicated volunteers, and Cold Lake FCSS is seeking helpers for two-hour shifts. Roles include donation clerks to record contributions, weigh scale clerks to track food donations, donation runners to carry items to the bus, and greeters to welcome shoppers.
Volunteers can also help as bus stuffers or unloaders, ensuring donations are organized and delivered to the food bank.
Draper encourages residents to get involved, saying, “You can get involved by contacting Cold Lake and District FCSS ([email protected]). The only restriction for the volunteers is that they must be 12 years old or over.”
When asked why this project is so important to the community, especially around the holiday season, Draper shared the words of a dedicated volunteer, "to give back to the community and support families in times of need."
Turkey race
This year’s initiatives also feature the Great Cold Lake Turkey Race, which is a creative way for the community to donate toward purchasing turkeys for the hampers.
According to the City of Cold Lake, the Turkey Race is not just a fundraiser but a heartwarming way for the community to come together to support families in need during the holiday season.
The initiative began in 2019 during the COVID-19 pandemic when Cold Lake and District FCSS was unable to host its Fill-a-Bus fundraiser. In its place, the Turkey Race was launched as a smaller-scale alternative to raise funds for the Cold Lake Food Bank. Over the past five years, this event has evolved into an annual campaign, raising more than $40,000 since 2020.
The turkey race kicked off on Nov. 1 and runs until Dec. 13. Community members can contribute by donating online at ColdLake.com/TurkeyRace.
