Manpower for the annual Syncrude Food Drive is being limited this year due to COVID-19.

While the need is still great for the Wood Buffalo Food Bank, with goals to raise $300,000 and 80,000 pounds of food, volunteers will not be permitted to help.

Only staff and board members of the non-profit will be collecting donations.

“We want to thank everyone who had signed up to volunteer this year, and to our event partners who were on board until the decision was made,” said Dan Edwards, Executive Director.

“While this was a very hard choice, we want to ensure that we are doing our part in the community to keep everyone safe, and we look forward to next year when hopefully we can all come together again.”

Since the spring, the food bank has seen an average of 50 new households a month accessing their services.

The drive is set to take place between November 26 and November 29 at all local grocery stores and Walmart.