The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' annual community-wide food drive on Sept. 21 brought tonnes of food to the Okotoks Food Bank.
Donations brought in that day totalled 30,500 pounds — just short of this year's goal of 35,000.
"It's been over 10 years now, so I think we have it like a well-oiled machine," said Bente Yanota, who became the food bank's executive director earlier this year.
"But honestly, if it wasn't for the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we definitely could not do this on such a massive scale."
The church, which has been conducting a food drive every September for the past decade, went around town to collect people's non-perishable food donations and deliver them to the food bank.
Approximately 125 vehicles took part in this year's food drive, according to Rob Court, stake high councillor and the church's food drive coordinator.
"We've come together to support and sustain the food bank for several months, especially as they are moving into December and Christmas time where money can be a little bit tighter, and it's wonderful to serve and and help those in need," he said.
Food from the drive continues to trickle in through grocery store donations dropped off at Safeway, No Frills, FreshCo, Sobeys and Save-On-Foods, along with other sources, so the final number will likely be higher than the current 30,500 pounds.
"We did notice that people did go on our website and then donate online, and so that was really nice actually as well, just having those monetary donations," added Yanota. "We're just happy to have the shelves replenished and looking forward to serving our community members that are struggling with food insecurity."
