An Edmonton man is braving the cold for five days and four nights, for a good cause.
“I’m out here collecting donations 24 hours a day,” explained Daniel Johnstone, Can Man Dan.
Edmonton Icon — Can Man Dan’s camp out began Wednesday and he will continue to sleep in the back of this truck until Christmas Eve. All while trying to fill it with donations for Edmonton’s Food Bank.
His goal? To collect 50,000 pounds of food. At a time when the food bank is seeing extreme pressures due to a growing demand during the holiday season.
(Left to right) Jerry MacLachlan, Daniel Johnstone and Jason Rutledge. (Photo Credit: Laura Krause, CityNews)
“This food is so desperately needed, so we just hope we can help them out and fill some shelves, and do what we can to keep them stocked.”
Edmonton’s Food Bank served 36,000 people through their food hampers alone in November, and they’re expecting that number to rise in the new year.
“We seem to be in a situation where the cost of living is growing faster than people’s income, so that is creating a lot of concern for low-income people,” said Marjorie Bencz, Executive Director of Edmonton’s Food Bank.
Bencz added that the food bank has been overwhelmed as they’ve been working at full capacity to also fulfill the needs of soup kitchens, shelters, schools, and other community organizations.
“It’s been very hard on our organization and of course our volunteers,” said Bencz.
“We are concerned that we will see more and more people needing our services because we seem to be in a situation where the cost of living is growing faster than people’s income, so that is creating a lot of concern for low-income people.”
Belmont Sobeys where Can Man Dan will be. (Photo Credit: Laura Krause, CityNews)
Jerry MacLachlan is out with Johnstone as much as he can while he’s fundraising at the Belmont Sobeys. As the owner of the store, he says he has a great relationship with many customers, and thinks having his familiar face out there can help encourage people to donate, and walk up to ask questions.
“We really focus on treating our customers like friends and family. The old-school kind of way, we don’t have any self checkouts at the moment, so we’re able to interact day-to-day and really build bonds with the folks who shop here, so we’re standing out front with Can Man Dan.”
This is Johnstone’s 13th year camping out in support of the food bank, saying while people are still being generous, he has noticed a major drop in what people can give.
“People are giving, just not giving as much as they normally would. So it’s a sign of the times, but you know what, what we’re collecting here is still amazing and that’s a sign of community spirit,” said Johnstone.