A Port Moody organization is coming to the aid of local families struggling to put food on the table this winter.
PoMoArts, in conjunction with its contemporary gallery and marketplace running until Dec. 22, is hoping to collect hundreds of pounds of food for SHARE Family and Community Services.
Non-perishable items, as well as financial donations, will be earmarked for the Winter Treasures Artisan Market and the Blackberry Christmas Marketplace and dozens have been collected in the early stages of the campaign.
The SHARE food bank is said to serve more than 1,700 people a month, and that number is still growing given the rise of inflation and higher costs for food.
"We partnered with SHARE this year to help address the huge increase in demand on food banks this season," said PoMoArts executive director Deanna Kayne in a statement to the Tri-City News.
To date, nearly 50 pounds of food has already been collected as well as about $450, with a modest goal of $750 over the next two weeks.
"We'd love nothing more than to reach or exceed that goal," PoMoArts spokesperson Star Horn added.
"We realize it's a difficult time for everyone, but hope that this story will remind the community that everyone can share whatever they can."
She said even PoMoArts staff have witnessed long line-ups outside SHARE's food bank each week.
According to SHARE community engagement manager Darcel Moro, this attests to a 50 per cent increase in demand for items at the facility in comparison to last winter.
Interested attendees to the Winter Treasures Artisan Market are encouraged to bring a donation, or round up the final total to financially contribute to the cause.
Those that make a make a donation will be entered to win an artisan-crafted gift, Horn added, noting those associated with the Blackberry Gift Shop have offered up valued items for its prize pool.
About the market
In all, there are 67 artists represented at Winter Treasures and more than 20 in the Blackberry Christmas Market across PoMoArts' four galleries.
That's 1,200 sq. ft. of body products, jewellery, ceramics, cards, prints, paintings and clothing for sale by local artists from all over the Lower Mainland.
The exhibit — located at 2425 St. Johns St. — is running seven days a week, and the hours are as follows:
- Monday to Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For more information, you can visit the centre's website.
