Roxanna Thompson
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 14/05) - Putting a new twist on the annual Thanksgiving food drive turned into a success for the Salvation Army.

Last Saturday more than $1,600 in cash and approximately $5,000 worth of food was raised.

This year the Salvation Army partnered with the Yellowknife Co-op for the food drive.

The Co-op put together emergency food hampers in brown paper bags that were sold for $25 in the store. Volunteers were waiting outside to collect the bags.

Part of the idea behind the bags was to make giving easier, said Cheryl Thomas the Salvation Army's special events co-ordinator.

"It means people don't have to go down the isles and decide what to pick out," Thomas said.

The food drive ran between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The first 100 hampers sold out by 11:30 a.m. and staff had to scramble to make more.

"The response has always been good, but these bags have been amazing," Thomas said.

The hampers included things like dry pasta, rice, cans of soup, peanut butter, and a can of mixed vegetables.

"I thought it was a great way to do it," said Sandra Taylor who usually buys something every week to donate.

Emergency food hampers are given out at the Salvation Army every Monday and Thursday.

"We give out approximately 110 a month so this is a big bonus," Thomas said.