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Elkford fire department to host food drive

On Dec. 13, the Elkford Fire Department is holding a fundraiser to benefit the Elkfood Food Bank.

On Dec. 13, the Elkford Fire Department is holding a fundraiser to benefit the Elkfood Food Bank. Featuring hot food and warm drinks behind the Elkford Community Conference Centre, all goodies will be available by donation, with all proceeds being donated to the food bank.

“The tentative plan is from 3 until 7 at night on the 13 of December, behind the Community Conference Centre in Elkford, there is a little bit of a toboggan hill there. We plan on having a bit of a fire pit and chili and hot dogs and hamburgers and that sort of thing. We suggest that they donate some money,” said Corey Kortmeyer, the interim fire chief in Elkford.

In years past, the fire department worked in conjunction with other types of emergency service providers to hold a food drive for the Food Bank. However, this year, the food bank is only accepting cash donations. According to Karen Lewis, a representative from the Elkford Food Bank, they don’t have the room to store and sort through food items, as their physical food bank location shut down in the late spring.

“In prior years, they did an actual food drive to collect items, and they drove around the town, and unfortunately this year, we do not have a food bank room,” she said. “We don’t have the room to do a food drive.”

This year, the food bank will buy vouchers to the Kootenay Market in Elkford with the funds raised to provide to people in need.

Kortmeyer said this is an interesting method, as it allows people to choose food items for themselves.

“If you have ever been a part of a food drive, you get lots of cans and Kraft Dinner and tomato soup and that kind of thing,” he said. “When families go in, they will be able to take the gift certificate in and actually get fresh fruit and vegetables and fresh meat if they want to. It falls mpre in line with people being able to purchase what they wish.”

The event is aimed at being family-friendly, with a toboggan hill, a small fire pit and warm refreshments for families to enjoy. It is set to start at 3 p.m. on Dec. 13.