The community is rallying to make sure this year’s Salvation Army food bank drive will be one of the best ever.
    This Thursday, November 26, Drumheller and surrounding communities will be blitzed by volunteers wanting to make Christmas brighter for area families, and to replenish the shelves of the Salvation Army Food Bank after a year of higher demand than usual.
    It all gets started at 6 p.m. on Thursday night. Volunteers will be going door-to-door collecting donations for the food bank.
    Organizer Heather Colberg says they have a strong contingent of volunteers ready to help with the collection, but could always use more. The DCHS junior and senior basketball teams will be on route to collect packages, as will members of the Drumheller Dragons. The food will be taken to the former Liquidation World warehouse, accessible from the rear entrances at Greentree Mall.
    Those who wish to volunteer can muster at the various points throughout the valley at 5:45 p.m. and go door-to-door. There are also opportunities to volunteer by heading down to the former Liquidation World to help sort.
    The food bank had enormous pressure on it last year, and could very well see the same thing again in the coming season. Colberg urges residents to take a moment to think about those who are in need, and what you are able to give.
    Last year the food drive was characterized as its best ever with more than 100 volunteers out combing the neighbourhoods or sorting the groceries and toys.

Muster points for
Salvation Army food drive 2009

• Newcastle              Newcastle Community Hall

•Nacmine                 Nacmine Community Hall
• Hunts Crescent,     Bowling Alley area,
• Day care area        DeMott Floors
•Midland                   Midland Community Hall

•North Drum Area   Oasis Car Wash
• Bankview Area       In front of 710 1 St. SW
•Riverside/Willow
Estates                  High school parking lot
• McConkey Park

area to Court House    Parking lot of courthouse
• Downtown, Post office,

• Little League park area            Parking lot of the Brick
• Greentree Area   Greentree School parking lot
• Morrin                 Main Street near fire hall
• Munson              Munson Community Hall
• Rosedale            Rosedale Community Hall
• Carbon               Carbon Community Hall

 The Drumheller Salvation Army will be holding their annual food drive on Thursday, November 26 at 6 p.m.
The food drive is part of its Christmas campaign. The one night blitz will cover the Drumheller valley as well as Nacmine, Rosedale, Morrin, Munson and Carbon.
Volunteers can meet up at one of 14 starting points set up throughout the valley. The drop off point for food and sorting will be at the former Liquidation World warehouse, accessible from the rear of the building
The Salvation Army has seen the need for the food bank grow this year, having helped 470 people so far.
 “The more households we can get involved the more we will be able to help all those less fortunate,” said Salvation Army food drive coordinator, Heather Colberg.
The food drive is a one night event where community members are asked to donate non-perishable food items, and volunteers from each area come to collect the items. Canvassing will begin at 6 p.m.
The food drive coordinators would like households to have their non-perishable articles pre bagged or boxed and labeled for the volunteers.
“This program needs support from all community members so please dig deep in your hearts,” said Colberg.
The Christmas food drive is not the only fundraising event the Salvation Army holds over the holiday season. November 20 kicks off the traditional Kettle Campaign at the Dragon’s game. To volunteer to man a kettle call 403-823-2215.
The Salvation Army operates entirely on donations and the main source of income comes from the Christmas Kettles. The kettles this year will need some 700 volunteer hours over five weeks at four different locations.
“This is a huge undertaking for us and we need the support of the community to make it successful,” said Salvation Army Lieutenant Rachel Sheils.
Last Christmas was filled with a little more cheer for the 138 children who received toys and 107 families who received a Christmas hamper with everything needed for a holiday meal.