The City of Pitt Meadows is gearing up to break a Guinness World Record for the most food collected in one day.
Coun. Gwen O’Connell and the Wesbrooke Seniors Living Community are aiming to beat the previous world record by collecting roughly 32 pounds for each of the city’s 18,500 residents to mark Pitt Meadows’ centennial celebration.
The food donated will go to the Friends in Need Food Bank, which serves more than 2,500 people annually, with nearly one third of that number being children under 18.
“We were thinking about how we could engage the community by doing something that would help those who are struggling and we came up with a plan to fill the food bank shelves,” said O’Connell.
“Pitt Meadows is such a special community. As soon as I made the call for volunteers to help gather food, 600 people signed up.”
O’Connell is passionate about the food bank, having served two terms as a director, and has dedicated much of her career and volunteer activities to helping those in need.
Pitt Meadows residents are encouraged to start stocking their shelves now, then have items either collected by block captains in their neighbourhood or drop donations off at the Wesbrooke (12000 – 190A St., Pitt Meadows), between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on April 12.
“There is no doubt that we can do this – this is what Pitt Meadows is all about,” said Mayor Deb Walters.
According to the Guinness World Records, the largest food drive by a non-charitable organization in 24 hours was set by a North Carolina school, which collected 254,493 kg (559,885 lb) of food in March 2011.
• Information: Gwen O’Connell at The Wesbrooke at 604-460-7006.
Centennial banners
Four Pitt Meadows residents will see their art work go up along Harris Road.
Brad Dinwoodie, Kennedy Richard, Maia Richard, and Georgina Cadieux designed the winning centennial banners, which were chosen via votes on the city’s Facebook page.
The winning banners are being printed and will be hung up in April, just in time for the city’s 100th anniversary celebrations.
• For a list of events, visit pittmeadows.bc.ca.