Summer may bring promises of backyard barbecues and picnics in the park for many but Share Family and Community Services is asking the public to Remember the Food Bank in this year's July campaign, running this weekend at four locations.
With stockpiles of food dwindling on the food bank's shelves, Share is hosting its summer food drive in the hopes of collecting 10,000 lb. of food and $10,000 so it can continue helping the Tri-City individuals and families who look to Share for help each week.
"We don't want to dip into our reserves and have to buy food," said Jake Moir, Share's fund development officer, "but the shelves are low."
Volunteers will be stationed at the two Tri-City Thrifty Foods locations (2662 Austin Ave., Coquitlam and 170 Brew St., Port Moody) and at two Safeways (2850 Shaughnessy St., Port Coquitlam and 2025 Lougheed Hwy., Coquitlam) on July 25 and 26 to accept food and monetary donations; tax receipts will be available.
Moir said while we often think to donate to the food bank during the Christmas season, it's particularly important to do the same in the summer, when reserves really begin to shrink and when families with kids are struggling.
"We do see an increase in the number of kids using the food bank in the summer," Moir said, since they don't have access to their schools' breakfast or hot lunch programs.
Children up to the age of 18 make up 36% of the food bank's clientele, he noted.
"It's something to keep in mind, that those families relying on the school system support don't have access to it in the summer," he said.
Donations that are most needed are baby items such as diapers and formula, and anything high in protein such as beans and canned fish or chicken. You can also visit www.sharesociety.ca for more giving options, including monetary donations.
Anyone who can't make it to one of the four locations this weekend can also donate directly at the food bank (2615 Clarke St., PoMo, at the rear of the building) or to any grocery store in the Tri-Cities.
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