The Knights of Columbus and St. Anthony’s School have partnered to mark Earth Day in a unique way, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

To recognize Earth Day on Wednesday, April 22, the Knights of Columbus have acquired 500 seedling evergreens from Bonnyville Tree Nursery. Knight of Columbus Brian Viczko picked up the trees. On Earth Day these will be distributed by volunteers for families to plant and make Drumheller a little greener.

Principal of St. Anthony’s School, JoAnne Akerboom, explains there will be volunteers at the parent drop off loop at the school on Earth Day from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., or until they run out of trees. Anyone in the community wishing to have a tree to plant can drive through, and receive one, conforming to protocols of physical distancing and hygiene.

This year is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Mayor Heather Colberg has always been a great supporter of the effort. While current global circumstances don’t make it feasible to have a community clean up, some of the trees will be planted at the Town of Drumheller tree farm as a legacy.

The Drumheller RCMP is pitching in to help the Salvation Army Food Bank stock up for those in need.
This Saturday, April 18 the RCMP and the Salvation Army will be at Freson Bros hoping to stock the shelves of the food bank, which is anticipating greater demand due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
“We want to have a police cruiser outside the store and encourage people to pick up an extra can of non-perishable food and fill a police car,” said Constable Stephanie Morello. “The Salvation Army is bringing a bus as well.”
“I know there is a need for food in general with COVID and so many people losing their jobs. I know things are tight, so we thought we could entice people a little more to donate an extra little bit of food.”
The Salvation Army has been working on building their stocks. Captain Ben Lippers says because of COVID-19 they understand more people in the community may be under duress with the loss of work.
“Anyone who has a layoff notice qualifies for a food hamper twice (every two weeks) a month and existing clients can access services twice (every two weeks) a month as well,” he said.
Those wishing to access the food bank can call 403-823-2215 Monday through Friday to make an appointment.
To meet this demand, he says there is always a need for many items including Ichiban, saltines, canned vegetables, macaroni and cheese, pasta sauce and meals in a tin such as canned pasta or stew.
He has heard concerns about donating to the Salvation Army online and whether it will reach the local church. He explains the online donation page allows donors to direct their donation to specific locations.
The RCMP Food Drive is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Freson Bros parking lot. Morello says they hope to continue the food drive at different store locations in the future as long as there are no new community restrictions due to COVID-19.