The annual Thanksgiving food drive organized by the Yellowknife Salvation Army saw an outpouring of support and community involvement, despite the challenges posed by a year marked by an evacuation.
Volunteers at the event, held at the Yellowknife Co-op on Saturday, greeted participants with smiles and enthusiasm. Audra Donison, a dedicated volunteer, expressed her delight at being able to contribute to the community after a prolonged absence from Yellowknife due to the evacuation. She noted the increased need for assistance this year, saying, “I know that there’s extra needs this year, so I’m just really glad I could be here to help.”
Inside the Co-op, volunteers offered food hampers for purchase, which shoppers could then donate to the Salvation Army. Additionally, outside the store, volunteers handed out complimentary hotdogs as a token of appreciation.
The Salvation Army has planned a Thanksgiving dinner for vulnerable individuals in the community, scheduled for Monday.
Executive Director Tony Brushett emphasized the significance of these events, particularly in light of the recent evacuation. He remarked, “It does feel different this year. Since we’ve all come back from our evacuation, there is a lot more food insecurity coming to the surface. People were struggling before, and lost three or four weeks of pay, and are certainly struggling now.”
Brushett revealed that the Yellowknife Salvation Army food bank has witnessed a 50 percent increase in demand since the evacuation compared to earlier in the summer. This surge in demand is seen as a direct consequence of the challenges posed by the evacuation.
The goal for this year’s food drive was to sell 400 hampers of food, each priced at $25 for donation. By the end of the event, the organization had successfully sold every single hamper, meeting their target. Brushett lauded the day as “very successful” and expressed his gratitude to the community for their overwhelming support, with hundreds of individuals contributing to the cause.
