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By rdnewsNOW staff

Lacombe Ford Donation

EV donated to Echo Food Rescue

Sep 20, 2023 | 3:36 PM

Lacombe Ford and Echo Food Rescue have announced they are continuing their partnership and moving towards a greener future for the Lacombe and area community.

Recently, Lacombe Ford donated an E -Transit to Echo Food Rescue to continue their mission of keeping edible food out of the landfill and redistributing it in the community.

Officials say the use of an electric vehicle aides in this mission and the organization’s wish to take care of the earth and reduce pollution.

Christina Sturgeon with Echo Food Rescue said at first she was very nervous about using an electric vehicle. She was worried, and so were the volunteers, about how far they could get on the battery, but that anxiety was put to rest very quickly.

“I was worried at first. I kept on wondering what would happen if we ran out of battery on the highway or couldn’t make it in to make a pick-up. But after using it for a bit now we have nothing to worry about. We charge it about once a week and it has no problem getting around to make our pickups,” Sturgeon said.

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The new E-Transit has also made work much easier for the volunteers at Echo Food Rescue, officials point out. According to Sturgeon, the new cargo vehicle is able to hold a lot more than the last vehicle they used, a transit van also provided by Lacombe Ford.

“We haven’t filled this one completely yet, and the last one we did a few times… We can fit a lot more in there, and it is easier for our volunteers to load up and work with as well,” said Sturgeon. “We have a few really tall volunteers, and they can stand up and walk around in the back no problem.”

“We are so grateful to Lacombe Ford for continuing to work with us, and for believing in our mission. Our goal is to redirect food that is still edible to the people who need it instead of the landfill. We want to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and having an electric vehicle works so perfectly with what we want to do in our community.”

Lacombe Ford’s Dealer Principal Darren Gagnon says Echo Food Rescue is an amazing resource to have in the Lacombe community, and he is happy to continue to support their cause by providing them with an electric vehicle.

“I love seeing organizations that do so much good in the community and helping reduce landfill waste and helping feed those who need help. Embracing electric vehicles coincides with their overall mission. I believe the E-Transit works hand in hand with what Echo Food Rescue is trying to accomplish and can help them go above and beyond,” Gagnon said.

“It is our goal to give back and help our community however we can, and this organization is doing just that, and we are excited to help.”

In 2022, officials say Echo Food rescue saved an estimated 60,000 pounds of food from the landfills and was redirected back to the people of Lacombe and surrounding communities.