The annual BC Thanksgiving Food Drive began on Saturday (Sept. 11) and the timing is great for the Comox Valley Food Bank.
“Definitely comes at the right time for us,” said Comox Valley Food Bank executive director Dave Reynolds. “We’ve had an influx in clients in the past little while, and this fall we are kind of down on our supplies a little bit so this gives us an opportunity to replenish our shelves and prepare for a busy fall season.”
Reynolds said that while the pandemic has affected some of the usual fundraising efforts, due to cancellations, the community has really stepped up.
“Our fundraising efforts are definitely down a little bit, but the support from the community has been (great),” he said. “We have a ‘Grow a Row’ program now so we are seeing an influx of produce, so that has been good. But our staple supplies are definitely down.
“Soups, beans, pastas, crackers and the like would definitely be helpful right now - those are the things that are lacking in our pantry.”
As for the annual drive, while there is still the option of filling a grocery bag and dropping it off at the food bank, or buying a hamper at your local grocery store, there is also the option of donating directly through the website, at
The link allows donors to select whichever food bank they choose to support, and donating cash is the most beneficial to food banks, as $1 in cash is the equivalent of $3 in food, thanks to their partnerships within the industry.
There will not be a door-to-door pick-up service in the Comox Valley this year.
The BC Thanksgiving Food Drive involves more than 100 food banks, serving 80 communities across the province.
In 2020, over 500,000 pounds of food were donated and sorted and then delivered to community food banks in the area where food was collected.
This year the provincial target is 600,000 pounds.
The drive runs through to Sept. 25.
ALSO: Comox Valley Food Bank launches Home Delivery Program
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