The City of Parksville released an update on the Volunteer Fire Department’s 2020 Boots for Food drive.
The update said the food drive was a huge success, despite being different from previous years with no door-to-door collection. The firefighters, physically distanced and masked, collected outside several Parksville businesses including Save-on-Foods, Quality Foods and Thrifty’s.
According to the release from the city the preliminary total is $75,644, with $32,567 of that collected by Parksville firefighters, $2,467 donated by the Parksville Firefighters Association, and $200 collected for the Society of Organized Services.
Craig Bay residents came up huge, donating $40,402 and 2,200 pounds of food items.
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“Thank you to the community for your incredible support for Boots for Food 2020 and to Parksville Fire Department members for your volunteer support,” said Fire Chief Marc Norris. “More people will need to access the foodbank during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is truly amazing to see our residents come together to help.”
SOS is now accepting donations for their Christmas program. Financial donations can be made online at www.sosd69.com and by phone, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 250 248-2093.
Toys, gifts and gift cards for children and youth can be dropped off at the SOS Community Services Centre, 245 West Hirst Ave., Parksville, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Salvation Army food donations are accepted at 886 Wembley Road, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Monetary donations may be made by mailed cheque to Mount Arrowsmith Salvation Army, PO Box 1874, Parksville, V9P 2H6; by phone with credit card to 250-586-6250, Monday to Thursday; and online through the website with a credit card.
— NEWS Staff, submitted