As the holidays near, many local companies are doing what they can to ensure the most vulnerable amongst us have the necessities going into the holiday season. That’s why GT Hiring Solutions reached out to the community at large to help them raise items for the Salvation Army’s food bank.
“Poverty reduction is a big piece of what we do,” said Nicole Read, service delivery manager at GT Hiring Solutions, which operates the Work BC offices locally. “Getting people back to work to improve income levels is (important, but) food security is also important.”
With that thought in mind, Read says the company put out the call to all of Chilliwack: “Anything (you) have to donate, we’ll pick up and donate to the Salvation Army Food Bank.”
RELATED: Local employment company hosts food bank food drive for Chilliwack Salvation Army
And donate they did, says Read. “Our goal was 500 (items) and we surpassed that to 1,001,” she wrote in an email update.
Each month, more than 3,800 people use the Salvation Army Community Food Bank, Soup Kitchen and shelter. Of that number, 30 per cent are children under the age of 18 years.
So with those thousands of people in mind, GT Hiring Solutions set a goal of raising at least “500 items (because that seemed) like a realistic number,” continued Read, who added the company had high hopes for this year’s event.
“We typically do annual office Christmas hampers, but this year we decided to do the food drive instead.” And because of The Progress’s previous online story, Read says one community member emailed her and donated 46 items. “It was awesome.”
That said, local food banks are still in need for more items, as more and more individuals and families are coming forward in need this holiday season.
READ MORE: Time again for Chilliwack’s annual Emergency Services food drive
Top Thirty Food Items Needed for Chilliwack Community Food Banks:
Tuna
Chunky Soup
Tin lunches
Misc. Soup (tomato, mushroom, other condensed soups)
Peanut butter and jam
Tinned meats
Canned Vegetables
Pasta
Kids Snacks
Boxed puddings/jellos
Cake mixes
Canned Fruit
Juice Boxes
Soda pop/water
Kraft Dinner
Pork and beans
Rice
Canned milk
Ramen noodles
Canned tomatoes (stewed, sauce, paste)
Meal helpers
Oatmeal
Cereal
Tea/coffee/hot chocolate
Cookies/crackers
Toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, shaving cream, etc.)
Paper products(toilet paper, paper towels)
Baby food/formula
Diapers
Small pop items, single oatmeal packs, fruit cups, mini meals
If you have any non-perishable items you would like to donate to those in need, they may be dropped off at the Care & Share Centre, 45746 Yale Rd., or at donations bins at any participating grocery store within the city.
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