B.C. food banks, including those in the Tri-Cities, are about to benefit from a national food drive initiated by the Loblaws grocery store chain.
Through May 5, shoppers at Extra Foods, No Frills and Real Canadian Superstore in Coquitlam are invited to bring in a non-perishable food item or make a cash donation for the food bank during the Extra Helping Spring National Food Drive.
The company hopes to raise $1.2 million in cash and 1.2 million pounds of food across Canada this year.
In B.C., all the food and 85% of the cash donations will go to local food banks, the remaining 15% of donated cash will go to Food Banks British Columbia in support of provincial food bank programs.
According to Food Banks Canada, the most needed non-perishable items include: pasta products, rice, canned meat and fish, dry and canned soups and stews, canned fruit and vegetables, flour, hot/cold cereals, whole grain cereals, peanut butter, packaged or canned/powdered milk, fruit juices, pasta sauce, beans and legumes, infant formula and baby food.