On behalf of Samson Food Bank, I would like to extend my gratitude and acknowledge Peace Hills General Insurance on their recent purchase of a new Forklift for Samson Food Bank. I submitted a proposal to PHGI in December, 2015 for a new forklift and was approved. The Forklift was delivered on April 26, 2015 and PHGI was on hand to make a special presentation in turning over the keys to Samson Food Bank. I also would like to acknowledge Councillor Patrick Buffalo, Councillor Glenda Swampy and Standing Committee member, Gary F. Buffalo who were in attendance for this exciting presentation. I also want to acknowledge Rob Lorenson, the supplier who ensured that the forklift was delivered as scheduled and worked extremely hard with Debi Cohen from PHGI ensuring deadlines were met. The timing of the new forklift was perfect; the old one was getting tired….. I also would like to officially thank Joanne Siemens from the Diabetes Education and Care Centre and
her team, for the huge donation they made to Samson Food Bank and Pigeon Lake Food Bank. A massive donation of bread and eggs were delivered in March, 2016. Samson Food Bank is open for emergency food service from 1:00 to 4:00 P.M., Monday to Friday and the business hours from 8:30 to 4:30 P.M
Peace Hills General Insurance established the Special Projects Fund in 2011, as a way of giving back to the Samson Cree Nation by providing financial support to community projects. In 2015, the Samson Food Bank Society was awarded a grant through the Special Projects Fund to purchase a new forklift. “The Food Bank does awesome work for our people, so it’s a win-win for everybody involved.” said Patrick Buffalo, Chairman of the Peace Hills General Insurance Board and Samson Band Councillor. On April 26, 2016, the Board of Directors for Peace Hills General Insurance were at the Samson Food Bank to present the forklift to Elda Goodin Lightning, Samson Food Bank Manager, and the timing could not have been better as their old forklift died the previous day.
Elda Goodin Lightning said the Samson Food Bank serves between 800 – 1,000 people each month and the new forklift will make the job of moving and storing supplies much easier for employees.
Western Materials Handling and Equipment Ltd., located in Red Deer, were so inspired by this story they will be repairing the old forklift which will be donated to the Ermineskin Food Bank
