FORT MCMURRAY – The Building Trades of Alberta Charitable Foundation has donated $20,000 to the Wood Buffalo Food Bank to help the community recover from the devastating flood that ravaged the area late last month.
The donation was unanimously approved by the foundation’s board earlier this week.
“To see Fort McMurray, a community so many of us both live and work in, go through another disaster of this scale less than five years after the wildfire is heartbreaking,” said Building Trades of Alberta Executive Director Terry Parker.
“We know the food bank, a staple of community support, was hit hard and we wanted to help them get back on their feet so they can continue the good work they do for folks in Fort McMurray. We’ll continue to provide whatever support we can to the area.”
Wood Buffalo Food Bank Executive Director Dan Edwards said the donation is greatly appreciated, especially during a time where they are not only dealing with recent flooding impacts, but also with COVID-19 layoffs, coupled with the current economic situation.
“The demand has continued to increase since 2014, and we expect it to remain high. Our Food Bank building sustained extensive damage from the flood as well, but we continue to support the community through temporary spaces while we repair, and we couldn’t do it without support such as this,” said Edwards.
In addition to the financial donation, BTA affiliates including UNITE HERE! Local 47, UA Local 488, IBEW 424, Carpenters Local 1325, Labourers Local 92, Teamsters Local 362, Ironworkers Local 720 and others have been collecting donations and hauling thousands of pounds of goods to Fort McMurray since last week.
BTA proudly represents more than 60,000 skilled tradespersons from 18 union locals across the province.
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Tyler Bedford, BTA Director of Communications and Relations: 780-298-7626
