More Tri-Cities residents and families struggling to put food on the table will soon have more options.
The SHARE Family and Community Services said the region's generosity came through once more from a national fundraising campaign to "feed our neighbours."
A total of $34,118.53 was donated to the local non-profit's food bank (2615 Clarke St.), collected by Walmart's Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam locations over a four-week span this past spring.
From Feb. 16 to March 15, the national chain hosted its seventh annual "Fight Hunger. Spark Change." initiative.
Customers were asked if they'd consider dropping off non-perishable food items at their local store, add a donation to their final purchase at checkout — both in-person and online.
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.
The organization conducts community distribution pop-ups every Wedneday from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the following locations.
- Port Moody – SHARE Family and Community Services (2615 Clarke St., back of building)
- Coquitlam – Hillside Church (1393 Austin Ave.)
- Port Coquitlam – Trinity United Church (2211 Prairie Ave.)
Nation-wide, Walmart Canada's fundraiser brought in roughly $4.8 million in-store and online to support non-profits associated with Food Banks Canada.
The supercentre chain "then matched $820,000 that combined is being shared" with food banks, according to a post from SHARE Family and Community Services.
For more information or to donate to SHARE, you can visit the Tri-Cities organization's website.
According to its latest list, SHARE's preferred food item donations are as follows:
- Canned fruits and vegetables
- Canned fish and meats
- Tomato paste
- Diced tomatoes
- Tomato sauce
- Rice
- Cooking oil
- Juice (No sugar added)
- Granola bars
