The third annual Emergency Services Food Drive is set to get underway this Wednesday, September 18, with hundreds of volunteers prepared to knock on just about every door in town that evening and the next, Thursday, September 19.
By David F. Rooney
The third annual Emergency Services Food Drive is set to get underway this Wednesday, September 18, with hundreds of volunteers prepared to knock on just about every door in town that evening and the next, Thursday, September 19.
This is the largest and arguably most important drive of its kind for the Community Connections Food Bank as it brings in thousands of pounds of non-perishable foods that are badly needed by the food bank. Last year, for instance, people donated 9,054 pounds of food and $2,682.50 in cash. That’s a remarkable level of public generosity by any standard and represented an increase from 2011 when Revelstokians donated 8,145 pounds of food and $1,000 in cash.
But, boy, this food drive couldn’t come fast enough.
“The only things we have on hand are hand sanitizers and baby food,” Food Bank Coordinator Patti Larson said in an interview a couple of weeks ago.
She said the food collected during last year’s Emergency Services Food Drive lasted right through until July. The Food Bank also purchases badly needed food items with the cash donations it receives.
Residents who wish to participate are asked to set aside non-perishable foods that have not reached their expiry dates. That’s an important point because the Food Bank cannot distribute foods that are past their expiry dates. They have to throw it out. So, please, check your expiry dates.
Canned and packaged foods, noodles of all kinds, coffee, tea and sealed containers of fruit juices and other beverages are welcome donations. So, too, are razor blades, combs, hair and tooth brushes, deodorant, and other personal care items.
You can box or bag them (this is a good way to recycle those Cooper’s and Southside grocery bags) and have them ready when volunteers come to your door.
Krista Carnegie is organizing the volunteers for the drive and says she has 140 people volunteering their time on Wednesday and another 160 on Thursday. With a little crossover she estimates the actual number of volunteers for both nights at about 200 people.
There will be volunteers from the Girl Guides, Cadets, Nordic Ski Club and other community organizations as well as Mounties, firefighters, BC Ambulance personnel and Parks Canada staff.
RCMP Const. Gary McLaughlin, the Mountie who first suggested an Emergency Services Food Drive said this is the kind of event that works for everyone.
“The majority of the public’s interaction with police is via the traffic stop,” he said. “So the opportunity to have a real conversation with the public is limited. This type of program allows the public to see a very different side of their local police department. As well, it allows the police officer to take off his or her ‘traditional hat’ and interact with the public in a very real, very personal way.
“Regardless of what anyone thinks, the Police, Fire and Ambulance staff in all roles are ultimately in the customer service business. What better way to support those in our community then to be on the front lines of hunger as well as on the front lines of community emergencies?”
You can help by having your donations ready to go and/or by volunteering your time.
The food drive will begin at 6 pm and end at 8 pm both nights.
If you’d like to volunteer, please contact Krista Carnegie and let her know:
- Which day you are available (Wednesday, Sept 18, or Thursday, September 19, or both from 6 pm – 8 pm);
- How many people will be participating over the age of 18;
- How many under the age of 18; and
- If you have a vehicle that you can use on that night.
