The BC Thanksgiving Food Drive is an annual event which began in Burnaby in 2009, has spread to over 50 cities in the province and helps thousands of needy individuals and families throughout British Columbia.
In 2014, over 400,000 lbs of food was collected by more than 6,000 volunteers (valued at approx. $900,000) and was sorted and delivered to community food banks. The goal this year is to collect over 600,000 lbs of food. This year’s food drive takes place from Sept. 14–19 and it is anticipated there will be more volunteer participants from dozens of partnering businesses, churches and organizations who will visit some 250,000 addresses across the province that week. In B.C., over 100,000 turn to their local food bank each year to help feed themselves and their families. Almost 40 per cent of recipients are under the age of 18.
Here’s how it works: Between Monday and Wednesday of collection week (Sept. 14-16) volunteers will deliver flyers and donation bags to residential addresses along assigned routes. The flyers offer instructions on how to donate and include contact information should you have any questions. Anyone wishing to make a donation of non-perishable food items is asked to place them in the bag and leave it on their doorstep before 9:30 a.m. on Collection Day, Saturday, Sept. 19.
Volunteers will travel back through their neighborhoods to collect these donations. On the same day, these donations will be gathered at central locations and then transported to the Campbell River Food Bank. Watch for your bag and donate generously. If your neighbourhood did not receive collection bags, you are welcome to drop off donations at your local gathering site.
If you are interested in volunteering in the Campbell River area, or want to know where to drop off your donations, you can contact SueAnn Deeble 250-923-3574. More information can be found at bctfooddrive.org.