For the forty-second year in a row the Knights of Columbus and Oliver Food Bank are joining forces to ensure that everyone has a happy holiday season. In 2012 the organizations worked together to fill 210 hampers and campaign chair Wayne Danbrook said they are expecting to fill at least as many this year.
According to the Oliver Food Bank’s current statistics, the local facility helps provide food for 175 individuals and families per week. Though the Food Bank is open 36 weeks a year, Danbrook said it is typically not open during the holiday season.
To ensure that clients or anyone in need doesn’t go without, the Food Bank provides the KOC with a list of registered clients.
From now until the week of December 16, food collection boxes have been placed at the Oliver Chronicle, Oliver SuperValu, Buy Low Foods, Shoppers Drug Mart, the Bargain Shop, Dollarama and the Oliver Legion.
Residents are encouraged to fill Tummy Bags, which will be inserted into the Chronicle in the coming weeks, with non-perishable goods, and drop them off at any of the drop off points mentioned above.
Distribution of the hampers will take place on Saturday, December 21 at Christ the King Catholic Church in the lower hall.
Any food not used in the hampers is given to the Food Bank after the holidays and added to the bank’s inventory for distribution throughout the year.
Non-perishables needed include: canned meat/fish, canned fruit/vegetables, peanut butter, baby formula/baby food, rice, whole wheat pasta and sauce, bread, stuffing, cranberry sauce, juice and bottled water.
Danbrook said monetary donations are also welcome, as 80 per cent of the food in the hampers is purchased by the Knights.
If you would like to donate, cheques can made payable to the Knights of Columbus/Hamper Project, PO Box 343, Oliver, BC V0H 1T0.
Erin Christie
Oliver Chronicle
