Only 10 days after the four food banks of the Sunshine Coast launched a joint fundraising campaign, they are almost two-thirds of the way to their goal.
As of June 21, more than $33,000 has been donated and another $32,000 has been pledged, Wendy Franicis, the executive director of the Sunshine Coast Foundation, told Coast Reporter.
The four food banks have banded together in an effort to raise $100,000 by July 15. The Sunshine Coast Foundation is accepting the donations on behalf of the food banks: the Sunshine Coast Food Bank in Sechelt, the Pender Harbour Food Bank, the Salvation Army and St. Bart’s food banks in Gibsons.
“We live in a very generous community,” Francis said. “I think that people understand how many of us are doing really well, and yet we have neighbours, families in our community who are struggling.”
Realtors on the Coast, Fraser said, “have really stepped up.” Businesses and community members alike are welcome to donate.
She said there currently is high use of the food banks. The majority of the funds raised will be divided between the four food banks on the Coast. Another portion of the money will be held in an endowment with the Sunshine Coast Foundation and invested to generate future funding and revenue for the food banks.
Those wishing to make a donation can do so online at sunshinecoast.fcsuite.com/erp/donate or by calling 604-741-7360 before July 15.
