The Okotoks Community Food Drive was held on Saturday (Sept. 21), and brought in just over 30,000 pounds of food donations for the Okotoks Food Bank.
It's an annual event that's been running for over 10 years and is run by volunteers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS).
The food bank's executive director Bente Yanota says it was a smooth process, as the LDS church volunteers have it down pat after so many years.
"They just have it so well organized, we basically just offer our facility and volunteers and they just bring all the food in for us, it's wonderful."
That's not to understate the hard work of the food bank's own team of volunteers.
"We have volunteers that have been with us for many many years that just know exactly what to do, so we couldn't do it without them, for sure," says Yanota.
On top of the food donations, the food bank also received about $2,000 in monetary donations.
Money donations are always welcome, as the food bank is free to put them toward perishable items.
While the annual food drive is a great boost ahead of the Thanksgiving season, Yanota says much of it also goes to restocking the shelves from the summertime, as the food bank doesn't really have an off-season.
"We are quite busy over the summer as well with the kids being home over the summer, and at home eating. I always encourage donations throughout the summertime, if possible, as well. It's great to get this large donation so we're set up for the fall and Christmas season, but any time is a great time to donate."