While hunger is a year round reality for many families, the holidays can bring added pressure to ensure cupboards are not bare. British Columbia food banks assist an average of 96,150 individuals each month, 29.5 per cent of whom are children. To respond to this need, Real Canadian Superstore, Your Independent Grocer, No Frills, Extra Foods, and Wholesale Club are holding the Extra Helping Holiday Food Drive from Nov. 23 to Dec, 13, and are encouraging Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody residents to help by donating food or funds.
To help, simply purchase or bring nutritious, non-perishable food items and drop them into the in-store Extra Helping donation bins, or make a cash donation at check-out. To help customers quickly and easily identify the food bank's most needed items, stores will have the Extra Helping logo featured on shelves in a variety of aisles.
In 2012, with the generosity and support of their customers, Loblaw grocery stores like Real Canadian Superstore and Extra Foods have raised $627,000 in funds and 647,000 pounds of food for food banks across Canada and are hoping to raise a grand total of $1.2 million and 1.2 million pounds of food by year end.
Participating Loblaw banner stores like Real Canadian Superstore and Extra Foods will sell a specially-designed $5 PC Blue Menu Deluxe Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese Dinner.When customers purchase the $5 box, they are donating four food items, and a $1 cash donation. Customers can donate knowing that their $5 will purchase healthy food items for Canadian families in need. All they need to do is pick up the box while grocery shopping, pay for it when they check out and drop it in the Extra Helping donation bin on their way out.
In British Columbia, the most needed, non-perishable items include: canned proteins such as fish & meat, meals in a tin like hearty stews, dry whole wheat pasta, rice, canned fruit and vegetables, meals in a box, macaroni & cheese, whole grain cereal, granola bars, baby food & formula, according to Food Banks BC.
