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No Salvation Army Kettles in BC Liquor stores this holiday season

BCL holding food bank fundraising campaign and ‘Share-a-Bear’ program
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Salvation Army kettles will not be taking donations at BC Liquor (BCL) stores this holiday season. (Black Press Media file photo)

Salvation Army kettles will not take donations at BC Liquor (BCL) stores this holiday season.

BCL is running an in-store fundraising campaign in support of Food Banks BC throughout the holiday period, through Dec. 31, according to a statement by Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) communications.

BCL’s “Share-a-Bear” program, which runs every holiday season, is also currently underway.

“We were already fully committed to these important campaigns by the time The Salvation Army applied to use our stores for collections,” the statement read. “To ensure we don’t overwhelm our customers with donation campaigns when they visit our stores, we are not approving any other fundraising activities at our stores throughout the holiday period.”

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The Salvation Army B.C. Division said, in a statement, it was informed by BCLDB that the canvassing will not happen.

“While we are disappointed in this decision, we are grateful for the ongoing support of our partners and donors across the province,” the statement read.

To date, the LDB has raised more than $2.75 million in support of food banks throughout the province since beginning its partnership with Food Banks BC in April 2020, according to LDB communications.

— NEWS Staff

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