WILD Food Drive 2022 began on Nov. 16, 2022. (Photo Courtesy Kevin Kyle)

By Chris Brown

Nov. 16-17

WILD Food Drive 2022 rolls out

Nov 16, 2022 | 12:23 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The WILD Food Drive 2022 bus hit the streets this morning kicking off the annual collection campaign for the Root Cellar Food & Wellness Hub.

“It’s so, so cool,” said Lance Doll, one half of the Jesse and Lance morning show on WILD 94.5. “You never really know who’s going to be a part of it and just how much these days mean until you get out and you kind of get into the community and you start talking to the business community, the not-for-profit groups and you just see everyone kind of rally together and support one another.”

Doll and Jesse Christianson will be joined by other members of the WILD and CHAT teams, Root Cellar workers and various other community members Wednesday and Thursday. The Traxx Coachlines Food Drive Bus will roll around the community gathering donations from close to 100 drop-off spots.

A national report released last month found food bank usage is at an all-time high and the Root Cellar is experiencing a record number of people accessing emergency food services.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Mustard Seed adding new shelter spaces at Alberta government's request

4h ago

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner, applications due Friday

7h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

'Compassionate Friends' offer peer support for bereaved in Medicine Hat

22h ago

Doll says it’s unfortunate that more people across the country are utilizing food banks each year and praises the Root Cellar for what it provides.

“We see this need grow each and every year which is unfortunate and sad to come to the realization that more and more people need to utilize food banks across this country,” he says.

“And it’s the thankful part that we have a group like the Root Cellar Food & Wellness Hub that can provide this service for anyone who needs it, that they’re able to utilize the different, you know, pieces that the Root Cellar has become. So it’s just so cool to kind of see Medicine Hat – southern Alberta as a whole really, all the way from Cypress County, you know Redcliff gets involved – kind of coming together to support it, it means a lot and it just keeps growing each year.”

Doll has been part of the food drive for five years, and the Pattison Media company has been doing it for more than two decades. He says it started as a small venture to give back and it’s grown to a level he doesn’t think anyone could foresee.

You can donate food or cash donations at any of the drop-off locations or through e-transfer to the Root Cellar at donate@mhfoodbank.com. Put food drive in the note and you’ll get a tax receipt if you give your first and last name.