The Chilliwack Fire Department (CFD) is once again collecting food to help those in need, but this year’s drive will look different thanks to COVID.
In prior years, CFD firefighters picked a night to go door-to-door collecting donations, accompanied by fire engines with flashing lights.
This year’s event will see firefighters setting up collection stations on three days at grocery stores around Chilliwack.
Saturday Nov. 27 is the first collection date with firefighters on scene from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Chilliwack’s four Save-On-Foods locations plus Real Canadian Superstore.
Other collection dates are Dec. 11 and Dec. 18, at the same spots.
“We know for many of us, participating in the Chilliwack Fire Department’s annual food drive is a great sense of community spirit,” wrote CFD assistant chief Andrew Brown in a news release. “Like many other areas of our lives, COVID-19 has caused us to re-think how we can continue to support our Salvation Army Food Bank through our annual food drive.”
The Save on Foods locations are at 46020 Yale Road (Salish Plaza), 45585 Luckakuck Way (Cottonwood Mall), 6014 Vedder Road (Vedder Crossing) and 45635 Tamihi Way (Garrison Village). The Real Canadian Superstore is at 45779 Luckakuck Way.
“Although many of our members will be involved in the food drive, it will be impossible to connect with everyone wishing to donate to the food drive. Also, our members may not be at a location due to the operational needs of the fire department,” Brown added. “Therefore, we apologize in advance if we miss connecting with people who wish to donate.”
Anyone who misses the collection dates and still wishes to donate can drop off non-perishable food items at Fire Hall No. 1, which is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through the month of December at 45950 Cheam Ave.
Donations are forwarded to Chilliwack’s Salvation Army Food Bank.
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