Food drive efforts continue

The “Everybody Loves Firefighters,” or ELF, food drive has been canceled this year due to cold weather conditions. However, if people still want to help the Havre Food Bank collect nonperishable food items for the holiday season — they can do so.

Jennifer Thompson, Scoutmaster for Troop 1438, said her troop and another Boy Scout troop, 1492, along with other community members, will be going door-to-door all over town Monday evening to collect nonperishable food items.

The food will then be gathered at the Havre Daily News office, 119 2nd St., and taken to the Havre Food Bank the next morning.

Adults who own trucks are needed in order to drive and haul the food items.

People who would like to get involved can meet at the Messiah Lutheran Church, 417 20th Street Monday at 6 p.m.

Lorna Bjerga, the manager of the Havre Food Bank said that she is grateful that the community is continuing with a food drive.

“I think it is wonderful that they are all coming together to do this for us,” she said. “I’ve had several calls of people concerned because we are not doing the ELF Drive and they would like to know what they can do.”

Bjerga also said she understands why the fire department had to cancel.

“With the fire equipment — I totally understand they have to keep that warm in case of emergencies,” she added.

Drop-off locations for the nonperishable food items include the Havre Fire Department, Havre Food Bank, the Havre Daily News office, Triangle Communications downtown Havre store, Valley Furniture and Gary & Leo’s Fresh Foods.