VIDEO | Can Man Dan camps in a truck for the food bank

An Edmonton man who calls himself Can Man Dan is spending 58 hours in the tractor-trailer he hopes the public will fill with donations for the Edmonton Food Bank.

Dan Johnstone is collecting cash and non-perishable food items outside the Southbrook Sobey's store on 111th Street and Ellerslie Road until 6 p.m. Saturday.

"Group together — you, anybody, the whole family — get your cans together, your food and bring them on down," Johnstone said. "It's for a great cause. Help me stuff this thing so I can get out of here for Christmas Eve and go on home."

The affable 24-year-old started calling himself Can Man Dan last May when he first organized friends to go door-to-door collecting items for the Food Bank.

The initiative was a success, but Johnston wanted to organize something similar to the stuff-a-bus events held throughout the city.

Things came together quickly, once he came up with the concept. Someone lent him a truck, and his employer, Sterling Homes, donated prizes to encourage people to come out.

Johnstone started camping in the truck Thursday, only to endure the worst night of sleep in his life. But he's not letting exhaustion stop him.

"I'm feeling good considering the lack of sleep," he says. "Everyone's positive energy, it really keeps me going."

Johnstone says he's excited every time someone drops off a donation, and is certain Edmontonians will stuff the truck.

"If it takes a couple of nights to sleep over to fill this thing, then I'll sacrifice my body," he said. "It's for a good cause."