Huskies Fill the Bus collects 9,500 pounds of food for local Salvation Army

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The 26th annual Huskies Fill the Bus food drive collected 9,500 pounds of non-perishable food items and hygiene products for the Fort St. John Salvation Army. 

This year’s event also raised $1,619.90 in monetary donations. 

The food drive took place on December 3rd, with Huskies players going door-to-door throughout the community collecting donations. 

Director of events for the Huskies, Traci Hammond, said the nice weather worked in the player’s favour, and the team had some helping hands from the under-15 and under-18 North East BC Trackers and some of the Northeast BC Female Predators. 

“We also had all the wonderful volunteers that showed up to drive and stock the shelves at the Salvation Army,” said Hammond. 

“We couldn’t have pulled this off without all the great volunteer help we received that day.”

Hammond says there is always one Fort St. John family who goes above and beyond for Fill the Bus each year, and this year, it was the Burgher family.

“We had a Tracker dad who was a volunteer driver this year, and he couldn’t believe the donation he and his group of players picked up from this one family,” said Hammond. 

“The back of his truck was full just from going to the Burgher family home. If I had to guess, I think we collected probably over 500 pounds of non-perishable food and hygiene products donated by the Burgher family. We can’t thank them enough for their generous support each year.”

Hammond says it’s amazing to see how the community steps up to donate each year. 

“I am very proud of the community I live in,” said Hammond.

“I have been organizing Fill the Bus for four years, and it was the first year since I’ve been involved that the Huskies had to take food to the basement to store. We filled the shelves and didn’t have any more room.”

Salvation Army Fort St. John executive director Jared Braun says seeing the turnout and support at this year’s Fill the Bus food drive was inspiring. 

“We got so much food [donated] that we were able to store a bit downstairs. This food drive really helps carry us through the rest of winter after Christmas when most of the food drives slow down,” said Braun. 

“We’re very dependent on this supply to carry us into spring, serving the many people that we do. We’re grateful we have the storage space and capacity to accommodate 9,500 pounds of food, and we’re grateful for the ongoing efforts and resources we have to make the most of everything donated to us.”

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

Fort St. John community members who would like to donate to the local Salvation Army this holiday season can do so by stopping by one of the many Christmas kettles at various locations around town or by visiting the non-profit’s website.