Dean Hill who is the chair on the Food Bank board says they received almost 7 thousand pounds this year which is 2 pounds higher than last year.

“Usually it ramps up towards the end of the year through January, February, March so that helps carry us through the new year and then things start picking up again for donations in the spring.”

They say part of their success this year came from one specific annual event. 

“The CP Holiday Train really boosted our final tally for December, we’re lucky enough to have them here now every year.”

Hill says the grand total of donations received was just about 43 thousand dollars in local donations. He says that it was incredible to see and that he is so thankful for all of the community volunteers. 

“The Lions, The Fire Department, the Police, the town of Ponoka there is just so many people including our own staff and volunteers, everyone steps forward to make that happen.”