By Times Chronicle Staff

Oliver’s 14th Annual BC Thanksgiving Food Drive is just around the corner with organizers counting on the community’s generosity to help fill the Oliver Food Bank. 

“Every year for the past 13 years, the BC Thanksgiving Food Drive has generated heartwarming community support in our goal to feed the hungry. We hope that Oliverites will again rally around this effort for the Oliver Food Bank,” organizers said.

This generosity over the last 13 years has resulted in the Oliver Food Bank receiving well over 33,566 kg of food and thousands of dollars in funds.

Volunteers started dropping off paper bags on Sept. 2 and will continue through Sept. 5 for the food donations to help directly support those in need in the community. The bags have directions on how and where to leave your food donations. 

As volunteers will not be able to reach every household the community is urged to support the Oliver Food Bank in any of the following ways:

  •  By dropping off food donations (non-perishable), cash or cheques to the BC Thanksgiving Food Drive tent at the Oliver Food Bank (6047 Station Street) between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7;
  • Dropping off food donations at the Oliver/Osoyoos Sikh Temple prior Sept. 7;
  • By e-transferring funds to [email protected] (donations will go directly to the Food Bank account);
  • By donating via credit card through the BC Thanksgiving Food Drive website at bctfooddrive.org/donate. Donations must be designated for the Oliver Food Bank and this link will be available Sept. 1;
  • By mailing a donation cheque to the Oliver Food Bank, Box 405, Oliver, BC, V0H 1T0.

Every month, approximately 500 people use the Oliver Food Bank to feed themselves and their families. In the past year, the food bank has seen an increase in seniors accessing their service. 

Some of the items the food bank is looking for to help restock the shelves are: 100 per cent fruit juice (1 litre or five pack singles), cereal (small boxes), oatmeal, granola bars, canned items (fruit, soup, vegetables, tomatoes, sardines, beans in sauce), rice, and mac & cheese.

Organizers also thanked their 2024 Community Partners: Casorso & Company Chartered Professional

Accountants, Stellar Habitats, Wine Capital Electric Controls & Automation, Sunridge Landscapes, Oliver/Osoyoos Sikh Temple, Oliver Alliance Church Youth Group, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Southern Okanagan Family Dental, and Oliver Dental Care.

For more information visit bctfooddrive.org or contact Jordan Noftle at [email protected].