Mission’s Save-On-Foods and the Chartwell Cedarbrooke retirement residence are joining forces to help people who have been impacted by the wild fires in Fort McMurray.
While the grocery store is already collecting donations for Fort McMurray at their tills, on May 15, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the bright pink and purple Chartwell bus will be parked at the Save-On-Foods as well.
Volunteers are hoping to “Stuff The Bus” full of items that can make an immediate impact with relief organizations assisting with the evacuees in Northern Alberta.
The public is asked to come down to the bus and donate items. Organizers have learned that there are a few things in particular (besides cash donations) that are needed including:
- Gift cards for services or products like gasoline, which can be used by aid organizations or individuals in need.
- Gift cards to big box stores and large grocery chains which can be distributed to individuals in need or used by aid organizations.
- New socks/underwear - all sizes and ages.
- Personal toiletries and hygiene items. Imagine what it would be like to have limited access to diapers, infant food or formula if you had a small infant. Feminine products for teen girls and women. Elders who need adult continence products for comfort and dignity. Deodorant, soap, tooth brushes/denture products and toilet paper.
- Pet food, bedding, crates for rescue organizations that have opened their doors to displaced animals, and may not have sufficient reserve funding to keep up with the influx of need.
- Empty Rubbermaid bins are needed to store and distribute donations.
Donated items should be new, unopened, and unused. Due to restrictions, organizers are asking that food items and clothing not be donated at this time.
So come on down Mission’s Save-On-Foods on May 15 and help stuff the bus.