Lake Cowichan Food Bank Society is one of 55 food banks across the province that is participating in Food Banks BC first ever virtual food bank drive which launched earlier this year.
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“We think this is fantastic for our first year,” said Virtual Food Drive BC fundraising officer Andre Poitras. “I think this can be a revolutionizing way in which food banks across the province, and also across Canada can help raise funds.
“With all the food banks seeing a drastic increase in the number of new clients, and people visiting the food bank on a regular basis, we felt that if we were going to help make an impact, and help out these food banks and those in drastic need, that a virtual food drive could be a very successful fundraising resource for these food banks. The donations are steadily starting to come in, and we foresee donations to come in even more rapidly over the next five to seven days.”
Each food bank sets their own goal, with some setting a goal of a few thousand dollars, while others across the province have set their sights on $20,000 or more. The money collected will be dispersed to the food banks in the new year. Goals are based on how much both the individual food bank, and Food Banks BC think they can raise. All funds raised for each food bank stay within that location.
The Lake Cowichan Food Bank Society has set their goal for their ‘Gifting for Good Cheer’ fundraiser at $5,000 and are looking for support from community members.
Cindy Vaast the operations and hamper coordinator for the Lake Cowichan Food Bank Society said there is always a greater need during the winter months as people have to pay for heating bills, or warmer winter clothes.
“At Christmas time the community always seems to step up,” said Vaast. “The donations have already been steadily coming in over the weekend.”
“We didn’t want to set a daunting number, and thought that $5,000 would be attainable and not too much of a longshot for that food bank to raise those kinds of funds,” said Poitras. “Certainly in the next week or two if they do reach their fundraising goal, then by all means we would love to continue their fundraising efforts, and see them bring in even more money. The average donation is approximately $115 being made, so having 20-25 people make donations like these to their local food bank’s virtual food drive will quickly add up.”
Poitras says that at least 90 per cent of the food banks across the province have mentioned that they’ve seen a significant increase in the number of people visiting their locations, especially over the last six weeks during the holiday season. The deadline for donations is Dec. 31.
During traditional food drives, sometimes people donate items that lack nutritional value or straight-up can’t be used such as expired food or boxes of macaroni and cheese. This is not what food banks are ideally looking for. Raising money virtually allows food banks to purchase preferred items.
“I think this virtual fundraiser will prove to be very beneficial,” says Vaast. “We are always grateful for all the items we receive, however sometimes we get items that we can’t use. I do feel the donations that do come in will benefit the Lake Cowichan Food Bank Society as we will be able to purchase fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy and meat that aren’t donated, because they can be purchased as we prepare the food hampers.”
“When you are trying to feed people who are having a hard time putting food on the table you want to be able to give them nutritious value like protein and healthy carbs,” said Poitras. “Being able to have a food bank raise money via the virtual food drive will allow them to go out and purchase healthy food for those who need it. The hope with this virtual food drive, and those that who can donate is they realize that the need for food is as great as it has ever been. With all the food banks I talk to, everybody is up their knees in work, and new clients because people are having a hard time with getting by due to many other factors. We hope that people do realize that their donation is going towards providing healthy nutritious meals for those who need it.”
Visit the Lake Cowichan virtual food bank at https://bcvfd.foodbank.bc.ca/team/lakecowichan to gift good cheer today.