Throw some extra cans of tuna into your grocery cart and pick up granola bars on your way to the till. It might be a small gesture for you but could be a big boost for someone local in need.
Food Banks Canada has co-ordinated a food drive for our community’s food bank shelves, on now until the end of May. The Every Plate Full campaign runs in communities across Canada, raising funds and food for an organization not many people think about at this time of year.
“This time of the year is probably one of the low seasons for getting donations,” confirms Lawrie Mack, chair of the Columbia Valley food bank.
Mack says while they have a good cash base thanks to past fundraisers in the community, there is always a need for food donations, especially snacks for school children. Food bank use has been on the rise, confirms Mack.
“What I do know is we gave out more hampers last year than we ever had before since we came into business in 2000,” he remarks.
He shares a story of a young woman in need recently who was living in her car.
“People are in situations like that looking for hope, ” says Mack.
The Columbia Valley food bank, located in the basement of the Invermere library, is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-2 p.m. Drop-off points for the Every Plate Full campaign include Valley Foods, Joe’s No Frills, Sobey’s, Red Apple and Radium’s Mountainside Market. Monetary donations can be mailed to the Columbia Valley Food Bank at Box 2141, Invermere, B.C., V0A 1K6.
Copper Point Golf Club is also hosting a food bank fundraiser, Mondays to Thursdays after 2 p.m. until the end of May. Bring a non-perishable food item, or you can make a minimum $5 donation to the Columbia Valley Food Bank. In exchange, you get to play the Point for $50 or the Ridge for $40, which includes cart, tax, range and a $10 food voucher.
Copper Point holds a fundraiser for a local cause or charity each Spring. Last year, funding went to the Westside Legacy trail and raised approximately $9,400. Another time they brought in close to $14,000 for the new community centre, explains Brian Schaal, general manager.
This year, they opted to focus their efforts on the Columbia Valley food bank, the same organization they raise funds for each year at the annual Christmas banquet.
After less than two weeks, Schaal said he already had a number of bags of nonperishable items ready to donate to the food bank. See www.copperpointgolf.com for more information.