The Salvation Army received more than 7,500 pounds of food last week through a Canada Post food drive.
"Thank you to everyone in Qualicum Beach, Parksville and Nanoose Bay that contributed to this cause," said Canada Post's Cheryl Brucker. "Your generosity and kindness is so very much appreciated."
The post office branches in Nanoose Bay, Parksville and Qualicum Beach had asked people to leave non-perishable food in their mail boxes. Staff then collected and organized the donations from across the region. Brucker said they mounted the effort after hearing that the Salvation Army Food Bank was at all-time lows of basic items. All of the food collected went to the local food banks.
"We truly appreciate all the extra labour Canada Post and its employees have put into making this food drive such a success," said Salvation Army manager Trina Jiggins, who also thanked everyone "for the overwhelming support from our community and post office employees." Jiggins said they served 437 families in May and the number is growing steadily by 20-30 families a month, with a notable increase in people coming from — or who work in — Alberta.
"People often forget about the food bank in the summer because they relate it to the big Christmas push," she said. In light of the great growing conditions this year, Jiggins also reminds farms and backyard gardeners that they are happy to accept fresh produce.
"Meat, eggs and dairy has to be from an established farm who in turn can get a goods-in-kind charitable tax receipt," she said. But they can accept any fruit or vegetables, of sufficient quality, from home growers who would like to donate. She points out that "the Food Donation Act releases any member of the public from liability." To donate call 250-248-8794 or stop at the food bank at 886 Wembley Road in French Creek.