The 2021 Fill the Boots for Food Drive successfully overcame not only the challenges created by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic but also heavy rain that poured down on the weekend event (Nov. 13-14).
The fundraiser for the Salvation Army Food Bank, organized by the Parksville Fire Department, collected an impressive $93,464 over the weekend. Firefighters were at various locations in Parksville asking for financial donations and also for new, unwrapped toys for the Society of Organized Services.
Craig Bay residents donated a record amount of $58,635 and 3,676 pounds of food. The fire department raised $34,829 and 600 pounds of food.
“Our sincere thanks to the community for your generous support,” said Fire Chief Marc Norris. “It is rewarding to see our residents come together to help those in need by supporting the Salvation Army and Society of Organized Services. My thanks to our members for your volunteer support of this event.”
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Parksville Mayor Ed Mayne also congratulated the fire department for another successful food and toy drive.
“On behalf of council, our sincere thanks to all of our residents for their generosity, for helping fill the boots for food,” said Mayne. “We also want thank the members of the fire department who volunteered their time over the last couple of days. What a great job. They should be very, very proud of themselves.”
Donations remain extremely important to the Salvation Army Food Bank and Society of Organized Services to provide for the less-fortunate in our community.
Donations may still be made as follows:
• Society of Organized Services is gratefully accepting donations for the Christmas program. Financial donations can be made online at sosd69.com, in person or by phone (250-248-2093), Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. New unwrapped gifts can be dropped off at the SOS Community Services Centre in Parksville. Toys, gifts and gift cards for children and youth can be dropped off at the SOS Christmas tent located outside the SOS Community Services Centre (245 West Hirst Ave. on the McMillan Street side of the building) every Monday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and Friday from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Salvation Army Food Bank donations are accepted at 886 Wembley Rd., Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
— NEWS Staff