Craig Bay residents donated 2,800 pounds of food and $4,300 in cash to the recent emergency services food drive, and they are challenging other communities and strata to join the effort.
"Craig Bay really stepped up," said Liz Olson, Parksville Volunteer Fire Department member and food drive organizer.
"A few years ago the idea in the community was that they were just a ritzy area, not really part of town, so they decided to get involved and change that image," Olson said.
The total amount gathered in this year's drive hasn't been tabulated yet, but Olson said Craig Bay provided a good portion of the city's contribution, including almost half the cash collected so far.
"It's impressive what you can do with a bit of cheerleading," said Penny Rutherford, co-chair of the Craig Bay food drive committee. She thanked all the volunteers and Tim Horton's for a coffee donation on the day.
"I know they don't want it to be about them," Olson said, "but they deserve some recognition, they put a lot of work into this, it goes on for months."
She said the various fire department and search and rescue volunteers simply can't go to every individual apartment or strata unit so they encourage groups to gather donations on a smaller scale to make for more efficient pick-ups.
The PVFD distributed boxes to 19 buildings for people to fill, but Olson hopes more groups will help on the building or small neighbourhood level.
While that food drive is over, the Salvation Army Food Bank is always happy to receive donations. Call 240-248-8794 or stop at
886 Wembley Road.