Briefly: August 21, 2015

Fire donations

As wildfires continue to destroy property and force residents from their homes in the Interior towns of Rock Creek and Oliver, British Columbia Liquor Stores customers can now support Red Cross relief efforts for fire victims by donating in stores throughout the province.

“This is a tremendously stressful and difficult time for those impacted by the wildfires in the southern interior,” said Kimberley Nemrava, Red Cross provincial director for BC and Yukon, in a media release. “Recovering from a disaster is usually a long and expensive journey, so we are very thankful for the support of the BC Liquor Distribution Branch and all its stores, and customers who help their neighbours when they’re hit by a disaster.”

To help those impacted by wildfires, the Red Cross asked BC Liquor Stores to join their relief efforts. This includes providing evacuees with immediate needs such as blankets, food and water, reuniting residents with family members, and assisting with longer-term needs such as helping with rent and replacing equipment needed to return to work.

Customers can now make donations of $2 or $5—or multiples thereof—at BC liquor store checkouts province-wide.

A raw oyster warning issued by Vancouver Coastal Health on Wednesday, August 12, has been extended to a country-wide recall by Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

“Industry is recalling oysters harvested from BC coastal waters on or before August 18, 2015 and intended for raw consumption…due to possible Vibrio parahaemolyticus contamination,” said a release on CFIA’s website.

All oysters must be served cooked until further notice.