Huskies aim to Fill the Bus with 10,000 lbs of non-perishable food donations

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Fort St. John Huskies 26th annual Fill the Bus food drive returns on Sunday, and this year, the team hopes to collect 10,000 pounds of non-perishable items for donation to the local Salvation Army food bank. 

The Huskies aim to raise over $3,000 in monetary donations as well. 

Last year’s Fill the Bus collected close to 8,000 pounds of food and over $2,100. 

On Sunday, December 3rd, the Huskies will go door-to-door throughout Fort St. John collecting donations from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

The team will have the help of the under-15 and under-18 North East BC Trackers, as well as some players from the under-18 Northeast BC Female Predators.

According to Huskies director of events Traci Hammond, the team plans to cover the entire city this year.

“We have extra help, and the weather is looking very good so far for the players,” said Hammond. 

“If we haven’t been in your area, please reach out to us by 2 p.m., and we will try to get a group over to your home to pick up your donation. Just send us a message on Facebook or Instagram.”

Hammond says the organization is asking local businesses to get involved as well. 

“We encourage any businesses to challenge other businesses in the community to donate a certain amount of monetary or non-perishable donations,” said Hammond. 

“Let us know, and we will post it on our social media pages and get the challenges going.”

There are other ways to donate to fill the bus — the Huskies will have a donation bin and Salvation Army Christmas kettle at the North Peace Arena during Friday’s game against the Grande Prairie Wheat Kings. 

“We also have Bert Ambrose Elementary School helping the Huskies again this year by collecting non-perishable food donations at the school,” said Hammond. 

“People can also drop food donations at the big yellow shopping cart in Amanda’s No Frills and the big tin container in Save On Foods. The Huskies will collect the food from the stores at the end of the food drive and deliver to the Salvation Army.”

Hammond says donations can also be dropped off at the Salvation Army on Sunday between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Volunteers will be present to help empty vehicles. 

“If you won’t be home the day of the event and want to donate, we encourage people to put their donations in a bag, and we will collect it from your front door,” said Hammond. 

“Please mark that the bag is for the Huskies Fill the Bus food drive.”

Monetary donations can be mailed to the Huskies mailing address at PO Box 6483, Fort St. John, B.C.  V1J 4H9.