Paige LeClairCalgarians are being encouraged to open their cupboards in support of the Veteran Association Food Bank this weekend.
On September 21, VAFB is hosting their first food drive fundraiser to support Veterans in the area.
Calgary’s Veteran Motorcycle Community, Anavets, Veteran Brotherhood, Blue Angels, Commandos, the 3rd CAV, and Bikers are Buddies are coming together with VAFB to help collect non-perishable food items that will later be built into food hampers for Veterans and their families.
“Along with them we will have other Military groups with us,” says Marie Blackburn, Representative for the Veterans Association Food Bank. “Army, Navy, and Airforce Veterans will be there to help raise awareness, funds, and foods for this event. We have had generous donations from Costco, Superstore, Global Signs, Legacy Project, and many others.”
VAFB has been providing Veterans in the Calgary area, food assistance, and resources over the last year.
Created in October 2018, the goal of the VAFB is to implement programs in a safe, welcoming environment and to continue to build strong relationships within the Veteran community.
Working together with other local organizations and groups has helped VAFB grow, and raise awareness to the needs of Veterans.
“We as a country need to step up for our veterans, they shouldn’t go hungry, they shouldn’t be homeless, and shouldn’t be without the medical care they need and deserve,” says Jay Sullivan, president, and founder of Bikers are Buddies Canada.
Bikers are Buddies is just one of the organizations coming together to help with the VAFB Food Drive on Saturday.
“We have more than 20 of our group that will be donating food, cash, and items, as well as spending the day helping to load the donations on to trucks and trailers,” says Sullivan. “We will also be there as a show of respect as these veterans sacrificed everything for us, the least we, as a country can do, is to donate some food and items to the people who fought for our freedoms. We also love the companionship we share with the veterans and hearing their stories.”
Blackburn says if community members are interested in donating but can’t attend the food drive, they can make a monetary donation, or volunteer with VAFB at future events.
Visit 5404 Dalton Drive NW, the parking lot at Canadian Tire throughout the day, on September 21 to donate a perishable food item, or two, and learn more about how you can make a difference in the Veteran Community.
“VAFB is fortunate to operate in a community where Military members, veterans, local businesses, industry, and the general public have a heart as big and wide as our prairie skies,” says Blackburn.
