A drive to bring in $100,000 for the SHARE food bank this summer has raised nearly half of the money.
The social services agency that serves Tri-City residents and families in financial need launched its Remember the Food Bank campaign on the first day of summer, June 20; it ends on the last day of summer, Sept. 22.
The seasonal push aims to collect cash and food donations at a time when contributions dip and when children don’t have access to school-based nutritional programs, SHARE CEO Claire MacLean told the Tri-City News this week.
With the cost-of-living pressures on the rise, SHARE, on average, feeds more than 5,000 Tri-Cities families per month and “numbers continue to climb each month," said MacLean.
"We are seeing new people register for the SHARE food bank each week," she explained.
“We continue to serve newcomers and refugees and individuals on fixed incomes such as seniors or people with disabilities. We support one-income families such as single moms, as well as young people who are trying to go to school, work and make it on their own. But lately we are also seeing a strong increase in the number of families with two working parents who are struggling to get by and need SHARE’s help.”
On Sunday, Aug. 18, SHARE is asking Tri-City residents to bring an unopened, new breakfast cereal box to drop off at the agency’s booth at Car-Free Day in Port Moody.
Cereal, MacLean said, is one of the most requested items at the food bank.
Besides non-perishables, SHARE is also calling for donations of fresh produce, dairy and eggs for its food bank hampers — especially as back-to-school nears.
“A young person who has a good supply of fresh, nutritional food is more likely to succeed at school,” MacLean said.
“Parents who have enough to eat — and sufficient access to culturally appropriate, healthy food — will be better able to work, volunteer and flourish in their communities.”
The food bank’s most-needed food items are:
- canned tomatoes diced, paste and sauce
- canned vegetables corn and mushrooms
- canned meat tuna, ham, chili and stews
- canned fruit
- breakfast cereal
- rice
- cooking oil
- kids large-sized diapers
- menstrual and incontinence pads
To donate to the SHARE food bank, you can visit the Port Moody depot at 2615 Clarke St. (rear of building) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Meanwhile, this summer on Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., while the food bank is distributing hampers, SHARE offers a free drop-in play program for Tri-City families with kids ages 0 to six, at the food bank depot in Port Moody.
Snacks are served. A drop-in is also held on Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to noon at SHARE’s Coquitlam office (104-3020 Lincoln Ave.). No registration is needed.
Coming up for young kids
Summer Evenings at Parks (5:30 to 6:30 p.m.)
- Aug. 14: Blue Mountain Park
- Aug. 21: Bramblewood Park
- Aug. 28: Westhill Park
Nature Scavenger Hunt
- Aug. 20: ƛéx̓ ətəm Regional Park (formerly Colony Farm)
- 10 a.m. to noon
- Register: [email protected]
Summer Circle Time
- Thursdays at Cottonwood Park (672 Aspen St., Coquitlam)
- 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Love My Baby
- For ages 0 to 18 months
- Fridays until Aug. 23
- SHARE’s Port Moody office (101-2312 St. Johns St.)
For more details on the early-years programs, you can visit the SHARE website, call 604-250-0018 or email [email protected].
