The Sunshine Coast Food Bank and Your Independent Grocery Store (5530 Sunshine Coast Highway in Sechelt) are holding a food drive and barbecue on Saturday, July 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to help fill the food bank pantry due to increased demand.
In 2017, there was a 23 per cent increase in the number of households registered at the Food Bank. For the first five months of this year, the Sunshine Coast Food Bank noticed an additional eight per cent increase that includes a 14 per cent increase in the number of children. Presently, there are over 600 households registered at the Food Bank with an average of 160 households attending the Food Bank on a weekly basis.
In April, the Sunshine Coast Food Bank extended food distribution hours on Wednesdays to include an evening time slot from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. This extension was offered to help community members who were unable to get to the food bank during its usual food distribution time slot (Tuesdays and Wednesdays 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) due to work or other conflicts.
The July 14 food drive is intended to help meet the demand of increased participants and extended hours. The public is invited to attend, enjoy some great barbecue, listen to music and give to the food bank. Some of the food items needed include: tuna, rice, pasta, lentils, salmon, veggies, tomatoes, rolled oats, baked beans and peanut butter.
The Sunshine Coast Food Bank is one of the 35 programs offered by the Sunshine Coast Community Services (SCCSS). To learn more about the Food Bank or other programs offered by SCCSS, see www.sccss.ca.
– Submitted by Norm Blair
