Hundreds of caring people went into the neighbourhoods of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows on Saturday and picked up 9,149 pounds of donations for the Friends in Need Food Bank.
The effort was part of the B.C. Thanksgiving Food Drive
Province-wide, the drive collected 409,624 pounds of food for 49 food banks with an estimated value of $700,000.
“This food drive comes at a time of year when are inventory for hampers is depleted and with the donations we received, we will be able to make it to the Christmas season when donations are at its highest,” said Friends in Need executive director Mary Robson.
“This is just what our local food bank needs. This food drive provides an easy way for our residents to donate and help feed hungry people in our community,” said Maple Ridge Mayor Ernie Daykin.
In Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, more than 180 volunteers provided 550 hours of service, visiting some 8,500 homes to collect donations.
“Without the B.C. Thanksgiving Food Drive, it would be difficult for our food bank to meet the needs of our community this time of year when our warehouse is empty,” said Chuck Griffiths, operations manager at Friends in Need.
Members of Open Door Church, Golden Ears United Church, Knights of Columbus, Maple Ridge Baptist Church and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, along with some local businesses assisted the cause, giving of their time and making financial contributions.
• For more information, visit http://www.friendsneedfood.com/