The B.C. Thanksgiving Food Drive is looking for donations from Sept. 15-20.
The Salvation Army Food Bank in Parksville Qualicum Beach is taking part in the provincial initiative, pointing out that more than 100,000 people turn to food banks every year in B.C. for basic sustenance and the local food bank is under increasing pressure with more people looking for help.
"Many of us are only dimly aware of the large number of people in our society who struggle to obtain the necessities of life," they point out in a news release, adding "Over half of all households that rely on food banks are families with children; half these again are headed by single parents."
Provincially, roughly a third of food banks are reporting they do not have enough food to meet current requirements and the vast majority of them receive no government aid. Last year, the local Thanksgiving food drive collected over 3,700 kg (8,200 lb.) of food which kept local food banks stocked until Christmas.
This year, more than 100 volunteers hope to increase that along with the help of sponsors like Quality Foods, Save-On-Foods, Thrifty Foods, Parks West Printers and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
From Monday to Wednesday volunteers will deliver flyers and donation bags to residential addresses with instructions on how to donate.
Anyone wishing to make a donation of non-perishable food items is asked to place them in the bag and leave it on their doorstep before 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20 for volunteers to pick up.
For more information, or to help, call the Salvation Army at 250-248-8794.