Powell River helped collect more food per capita than any other community in last year’s BC Thanksgiving Food Drive. This year, organizers are hoping even more will step up to help fill plates.
According to Bill Norris, local food drive coordinator, the need is still great for food donations and volunteers.
“Although Powell River collected about 7,000 pounds of non-perishable food last year, the amount was still far below the 10,000 pounds usually collected,” said Norris.
Norris said he blames the teacher’s strike last year for the slump, but as volunteers like the Air Cadets keep stepping forward to help, he thinks Powell River will be up to the challenge this year.
“We are a friendly and community-oriented place,” said Norris. “And we have volunteers stepping in to help, which really helps, but we still need more.”
Last year, almost 80 local volunteers collected about 7,000 pounds of non-perishable food items for the Powell River Food bank as part of the province-wide push to fight hunger.
“At the end of summer food banks are depleted,” said Carol Stiles, spokesperson for Nanaimo district public affairs. “Donations pick up again later in the fall, but the Thanksgiving drive really helps get through this part of the season.”
Those in need often have to subsist on what’s in local food banks at this time of year, which at the end of summer is often very little, said Stiles. The BC Thanksgiving Food Drive runs until September 19.
In an effort to exceed the amount donated last year, local volunteers will be dropping off donation bags at Powell River homes this week.
Anyone wishing to contribute is asked to place non-perishable food donations in the bag before 9:30 am for collection on Saturday, September 19. Cash donations are not accepted.
Readers interested in volunteering in the Powell River area or wanting to know more about donations can contact Bill and Darlene Norris at [email protected] or phone 604.483.2164.
