Local churches collecting donations for Coaldale Food Bank

Posted on June 12, 2025 by Sunny South News

• Target Hunger Community Food Drive runs June 11-14

By Kristine Jean
Sunny South News

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) in Coaldale is joining forces with the Coaldale Canadian Reformed Church and the Coaldale Food Bank to support those in need through the Target Hunger food drive.  

Volunteers will gather at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on June 11, and receive routes to distribute Target Hunger donation bags to homes across Coaldale. The bag drop-off will take place in the evening between the hours of 6 – 8 p.m.  

“Members of our church and members of the Reformed Church will each take separate areas of the town, we pass out geographical maps to each pair of volunteers and they go and drop off bags, hopefully at every single home in Coaldale,” said LDS Bishop Scott Harker, noting that a few days later on June 14, volunteers will return to collect the filled donation bags from their assigned routes, between 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and deliver the items to the Coaldale Food Bank. 

“So if you get a bag on your doorstep or tucked in your door, all you have to do is fill it up with your non-perishable food items and put it back out on your step on  the day for pick-up,” he said.    

While there is a need for donations all year-round, summertime can also see a big need for donations, noted Coaldale Mayor Jack Van Rijn, who is encouraging the community to come together and support the cause. 

“In Coaldale and across the region, food banks see a dip in donations during the summer months, even as the need remains high. Target Hunger is a crucial way for our community to restock the shelves and ensure no family goes hungry – every can, every box, every donation counts,” said Van Rijn. “When local churches, volunteers, and residents unite for a cause like Target Hunger, it shows the power of compassion and collaboration. It’s more than just a food drive—it’s a community rallying to lift one another up,” he added. “Target Hunger allows us to make a real difference for our neighbours in need.”

 Harker said both churches are stepping up to help those in need through Target Hunger, not just as members of the community, but as a reflection of what Jesus Christ did as part of his ministry. 

“When Jesus Christ was on earth, he taught a lot about helping those that were less advantaged. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints – our primary goal is to help people come unto Jesus Christ and one of the ways we accomplish that is by both helping each other and helping those in our community,” said Harker. “This is also a really great time for different faiths to team together for a common good and for the whole Town of Coaldale to come together in a collaborative way to help those in need.”