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At library, more than just food for thought

Coquitlam Public Library patrons brought something other than books and reading lists to the library's two branches this summer.

Coquitlam Public Library patrons brought something other than books and reading lists to the library's two branches this summer.

They brought food, and lots of it - nine boxes to be exact - and all of it will be donated to the food banks run by Share Family and Community Services.

CPL's community services librarian, Teresa Rehman, who organized the food drive, was overwhelmed by the generosity of library patrons.

"It's amazing," she said. "People actually go home [from the library] and come back with food. It's not like going to the Superstore, where you can just buy it and leave it."

Collection baskets were placed in both the Poirier and City Centre branches, prompting people to drop off pasta, beans, rice and even baby formula and toothpaste, those important every-day items that are expensive to purchase.

"The library is the hub of the community, this is just great," said Rehman, who was inspired to hold the food drive after joining the Tri-Cities Homelessness Task Group last year.

"Any occasion to have a food bank and I hold one," she added, noting the library has collected more than 500 pounds of food for Share in various drives this year, not including the food collected over the summer.

As summer wanes and thoughts turn to fall, Rehman said she hopes people will continue to support the food drive, which this year will be held in support of sixth annual Homelessness Action Week in Metro Vancouver, set for Oct. 10 to 16.

dstrandberg@tricitynews.com