Share Family and Community Services is warning Tri-City residents not to give financial donations to people who solicit door to door.
The agency that runs the local food banks and provides housing and other social services says its been receiving reports from residents in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody about door-to-door canvassers.
"Share does not solicit door to door for food or money," confirmed Heather Scott, director of development for Share.
The description of the canvassers varies except for one detail in which individuals claiming to be Share representatives carry a clip board with a $20 or $50 bill attached.
Scott noted that occasionally churches or other volunteers will solicit on behalf of Share.
"The difference is that their volunteers are clearly representing their organization and that organization wants to make a difference in their community by running a food drive. They will then donate the food to Share because we are set up to distribute that food to people who need it. This is very different than when an individual comes to the door and says that they are a representative of Share because Share does not solicit door to door."
Scott suggests that people should call the police if someone is canvassing for Share at their doorstep. "This person could be stealing from you," Scott stated in an press release.
Donations to the Food Bank can be made at all local grocery stores and directly to the food bank Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 2615 Clarke Street, Port Moody.
