If you took photos with Santa at Coquitlam Centre over the holidays, then you also helped put food on the table for hundreds of families in need.
The local mall donated a total of nearly $40,000 to SHARE Family and Community Services from its annual fundraising campaigns.
On Thursday (Jan. 19), representatives with Coquitlam Centre presented a cheque of $25,000 to SHARE CEO Claire MacLean for the local non-profit's food bank, which was raised through Santa's Photo Studio.
More than 2,800 families booked private photo-ops with Mr. Claus.
"As we all know, rising costs are making it harder for people to make ends meet. We at Coquitlam Centre felt it was important to help support our community during this difficult time," said mall spokesperson Megan Lee in a statement sent to the Tri-City News.
"It seemed fitting to make a donation from our Santa program, because who better embodies the spirit of giving than Santa Claus. We would like to thank everyone who visited Santa’s Photo Studio this year which allowed us to make this sizeable donation."
The SHARE food bank — located in Port Moody at 2615 Clarke St. — is said to serve more than 1,700 people from the Tri-Cities region per month, and that number is expected to keep growing.
The facility accepts non-perishable food items, fresh fruits and vegetables, canned meat and fish, and meal supplements.
"We believe people should have access to healthy and nutritious food where they live and in a dignified manner," the organization states on its website.
Coquitlam Centre was also able to collect more than $13,000 for SHARE's holiday programs that included toy and gift donations, as well as food hampers, for families with young kids.
The money came from a toy bank and gift wrapping booth set up between Dec. 11 and 24 at B.C.'s fifth largest mall.
Nearly 1,580 toys and gift cards were given to kids and teens across the Tri-Cities as a result of the community's generosity.
