Fifty-one volunteers and 4,564 homes later, this year鈥檚 B.C. Thanksgiving Food Drive in 麻豆社国产collected more goods than the weight of eight male polar bears.
Saturday, Sept. 20, marked the annual provincial campaign that aims to stock food bank鈥檚 shelves with non-perishable food. Overall in excess of 195,000 kg (430,000 lbs) worth of items were gathered throughout B.C. 麻豆社国产kicked in 3,718 kg (8,200 lbs).
鈥淲e visited approximately 250,000 addresses in 49 cities and towns,鈥� organizers stated in a press release.
This was the fourth year 麻豆社国产participated in the province-wide initiative. The event is driven by a partnership between the 麻豆社国产Food Bank, the 麻豆社国产Multifaith Association and the local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
The 鈥渕any wonderful volunteers鈥� made this year鈥檚 drive a triumph, the 麻豆社国产organizing committee stated.
鈥淭he people of 麻豆社国产will once again be making a difference in peoples lives here in our community,鈥� food bank coordinator Christina Rupp said.
This year鈥檚 drive raised 453 kg (1,000 lbs) more food than in 2013. Members of the Sikh Temple, whom hosted this year鈥檚 drive, contributed more than 500 kg (1,100 lbs) of food to the event.
鈥淭his year was a great success,鈥� Rupp said.
The drive is important to the 麻豆社国产food Bank鈥檚 supply, she noted. The volunteer-driven food bank does not receive government funding. Volunteers within the organization dedicate approximately 200 hours per month to pick up, sort and distribute food. The hours spike when the organization takes on tasks such as the B.C. Thanksgiving Food Drive.
Approximately 30 per cent of the food bank鈥檚 clients are children under the age of 18. The 麻豆社国产Food Bank has seen an increase in the number of seniors using the food bank in the past year, officials reported. Families on low incomes who cannot always meet their nutritional needs as well as paying the bills also turn to the food bank, they noted.
For more information about the 麻豆社国产Food Bank visit www.squamishfoodbank.com.
