From Okotoks to Panorama what a journey this was!!!!!

18 Wheels of Christmas full of food

Our delivery of 47 skids (27,000 pounds) to the Calgary Food Bank on December 17^th was made possible by the generous donations from the following businesses: Fluor Cares, save-on-foods, Heinz, Lake Bonavista Promenade. Mika Trucking, Pammatoor Transportation, Canadian Transport Trailer, Westpoint Construction, Bess Tank Lines, Consolidated FastFrate. As well all the businesses who had food collection boxes in their lobbies Desa Glass, Mid West Survey, Chief Hauling/Gibson Energy, Style Craft Printing, Hill Bros, J&R Hall, Day & Ross Dedicated, and of course Rosenau Transport. Without your continued support 18 Wheels of Christmas could not possibly have done this.

Santa Claus unloading the 18 Wheels of Christmas
Trailer at the Calgary Food Bank

We are constantly asked why we do this. Why we give up our time and energy for people we don’t know. But we do know these people. This is our backyard, we live here, work here, play here, these people are our neighbors, co-workers, friends, perhaps even relatives. The majority of people are a pay-cheque away from financial ruination. No one knows when a catastrophic event will happen and how it will change a family’s dynamic. It can happen to anyone, even you!  We do this to help ease the stress of an overburdened mother trying to put dinner on the table with nothing in the cupboard and no income. To ease the decision of pay rent or buy groceries, pay the heat or buy groceries the list goes on. Even in our prosperous country there are events which can turn a family’s entire world upside down. This is why we do this! The food collected in our backyard stays in our backyard to help the people where we live! It is unfortunate there is a need for agencies such as food banks but for the people who have had to access them they are very happy they are there. These agencies have programs such as the Lunchbox program, Breakfast for Kids program to help ensure children do not go to school without something substantial and nutritious in their tummies or lunch bags. These agencies also help with the Veteran’s Food bank, The Community Kitchen and a whole network of organizations ensuring people in need of a hand up have access to food to help them through a difficult time.

Skippy the Elf unloading the 18 Wheels of Christmas
at the Calgary Food B

We cannot close this campaign without thanking our volunteers. Ron and his men in the shop, Wayne, Trevor and all the creative designers in the Graphics Department, our drivers Lyle, Chris, Jonathon, and Mark for volunteering their Friday nights and Saturdays to make sure the trailer arrives at each destination and gets home again. Janet, Kent, Colleen, Dale, Chris, Diana, Tara-Lynn, Kathy, Julie, Mark, John, Ken, Martin and last but not least Jodi. Without each and every one of you this would not be possible. Thank you for your time, your ideas and mostly for your enthusiasm!!!!