SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — SUMMERSIDE – Islanders from the Evangeline region are being challenged to rise to the occasion and help out their community food banks as they prepare for the busy Christmas season.
A group of local community organizations put on an annual fall food drive in the area and this year they are doing so in honour of Co-op and Small Business Weeks.
Rising costs and difficult economic conditions are conspiring to increase need every year, they said, so residents are being encouraged to increase their donations, even if it’s just by a little.
“A growing number of Islanders simply don’t make enough money to meet their family’s basic needs; some are forced to choose between heating their home or eating. They therefore have no other choice but to turn to social assistance agencies,” said the group in a statement.
People from the community are invited to drop off non-perishable foods at the Wellington Co-op or to Evangeline-Central Credit Union during regular hours. Each person who gives a food donation will get a ballot towards a draw for a $100 gift card from the Wellington Co-op.
A food collection contest is also being organized at Evangeline School in collaboration with Claudine Blaquière’s Geopolitical high school class. The class that gathers the greatest volume of food will win a $100 prize. Families with school-aged children can make their contributions through the school.
Those who use the O’Leary and Tyne Valley branches of the credit union are welcomed to drop off their food contributions to their branch.
Donations will benefit the Summerside Salvation Army Food Bank in Summerside and the Tyne Valley Caring Cupboard.
