Saskatoon rallies around food charity after truck fire

A groundswell of community support could allow a Saskatoon food charity to continue their services for the rest of the school year.

CHEP lost its only refrigerated truck, along with 5,000 pounds of food, after the vehicle caught fire on Idylwyld Drive on Tuesday.

The truck was on its regular route to deliver healthy food to schoolkids in need.

Executive Director Yvonne Hanson said since her initial interview with 650 CKOM, she’s fielded several calls offering assistance.

“It’s really touching, and makes you feel like you’re really supported in this community,” she said.

A church has offered up a bus to help with deliveries and the Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre said the charity could use one of its cargo vehicles. Others have volunteered to help pack food.

A GoFundMe page was also set up to help CHEP cover the cost of the lost food, which isn’t insured like the truck.

“The community is wonderful,” Hanson said.

She said the added assistance will help CHEP with its deliveries, which will involve a lot more back-and-forth stops without a refrigerated unit.

“We’re going to try our best to coordinate all of this,” she said.

Hanson noted the community’s help will also be of use as the organization continues to deliver to senior’s centres and Indigenous groups as well.

Saskatoon Public Schools told 650 CKOM they expect minimal disruption to their healthy eating programs.

A spokesperson said if CHEP isn’t able to make a delivery, schools have a budget to go to the grocery store and buy food for students.