Parksville Qualicum Beach area schools will collaborate this year on a School District 69 Food Drive.
“With inflation and food insecurity at record highs in our local communities, this is a good time for schools to come together to help families in need,” reads a news release by the district.
Poverty and inequality are the main drivers of food insecurity, according to the BC Food Security website.
Food Banks BC reports 30 per cent of food bank users in the province are children.
Schools are seeing an increase in the number of students registering for breakfast, lunch and the District 69 Backpack programs, according to the release.
School leadership groups are sharing ideas and many schools are holding challenges to promote the food drive. At Errington Elementary School, the leadership students challenged classes to see who can gather the most items and the winning class will get a new board game.
READ MORE: District 69 Backpack Program asks for donations to help feed PQB families
Qualicum Beach Elementary School has a “sleigh” and Springwood Elementary School has a “train” in their lobbies to be filled with items. Some schools open a “grocery store” for family shopping at the school, while others donate directly to the local food bank.
School District 69 is asking families to help by bringing a non-perishable food item to their child’s school by Nov. 30.
Donations of canned and boxed food items, including coffee, tea, sugar, cereal and jam, are welcome.
Gluten-free and dairy-free items are also appreciated. Schools will also accept cash and grocery gift cards.
— NEWS Staff, submitted