ST. PAUL - In an effort to once again support the St. Paul & District Food Bank, a group of locals are planning a food drive that will see a convoy of vehicles - including Santa Claus himself - will make their way through the streets of St. Paul, collecting non-perishable food items for those in need.
Starting at 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 11 on the west side of town, Santa and his elves will begin picking up non-perishable food items, along with monetary donations. A map had been put together, showing the route of the food drive. Organizers expect the drive to take about three hours total.
Sisters Breana and Carina Malcolmson, along with other family members, are the organizers behind the initiative.
Last year was the first year the food drive was organized, and despite brutally cold temperatures, a healthy collection of food bank items and funds were gathered.
When asked why they decided to do the food drive again, Carina jokingly says "We’d like a redo after the -45C temperature."
Speaking more seriously, the sisters believe the food drive is an opportunity to show the youngest members of their family the importance of giving back.
"And, we don’t feel anyone should go hungry over the holiday season," says Carina. "With the increase of cost of living, there are many families that are needing to access these services."
This year's route will be a bit different than last year.
"We are trying making several passes through town so they can catch us somewhere along the route," says Breana.
Specifically, the food bank is in need of children's lunch items, snacks, granola bars, cookies, juice boxes and kid-friendly canned food items. The food bank could also use paper towel, toilet paper, diapers and pull-ups, female hygiene products, and cereal. Monetary donations are also welcome so the food bank can then purchase whatever is needed.
Speaking to last year's inaugural event, Breana says those involved were "blown away" by the support they received.
"We realized that it was something we are able to do with our kids to try and encourage global citizenship. We are just really hoping this year is warmer than last year," adds Breana.
