As the four food banks across the Sunshine Coast see an increasing need for their services, there’s also an increase in donations headed their way.
As of June 28, the Coast-wide fundraiser for the food banks had received almost $57,000 in donations and another $20,000 in pledges, Wendy Francis, the executive director of the Sunshine Coast Foundation, told Coast Reporter.
“As they come in, we’re going to be more than three quarters of the way towards our goal of $100,000,” Francis said. “So, we would really love the community to help get us over the goal line here.”
The Sunshine Coast Foundation has been accepting donations on behalf of the four food banks since June 11. Part of the funds will be divided between the Sunshine Coast Food Bank in Sechelt, the Pender Harbour Food Bank, the Salvation Army and St. Bart’s food banks in Gibsons, while the other portion will go toward an endowment fund for ongoing support of the food banks.
“We’re thrilled with the generosity of our community. This will make a big difference to the food banks that are helping people on the Coast who sometimes can’t afford to buy food,” Francis said, adding that all of the local food banks are experiencing an increase in need for their services.
“We all know that we have to address the root problems of poverty, but in the meantime, people just can’t be allowed to go hungry. So the food banks are doing a great job, and they need the support of the community to keep doing that,” she said.
The campaign will end on July 15. Find more information and donate at coastwidefoodbankdrive.ca.
