The merchants at Whippletree Junction are using their Christmas kick-off to support the Cowichan Basket Society.
On Friday, Dec. 5 they are hosting a TrickleTree Lighting Festival from 4-7 p.m.
In addition to holiday lights, merchants will be open late with pre-holiday deals and products as well as live music, festive food and drink, basket draws, kids' activities and more.
All activities are free or by donation to the Duncan food bank. Attendees are asked to bring non-perishable food items to place under the TrickleTree.
Donations of food items will be accepted in the Whippletree Courtyard during "12-days of Christmas" from Dec. 5 to Dec. 16. Each day you bring in a donation, you will be entered into the Whippletree Junction Merchant Group basket draw.
Highly needed items at the food bank include Ensure and other meal replacements, breakfast cereal, peanut butter, jam, powdered milk, soups, canned fruit, canned chili, stew and pasta, juice, children's lunch snacks, granola bars, macaroni and cheese, canned vegetables and side kicks.
Information at: www.facebook. com/WhippletreeJunction