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EMCS students break own record for Sooke Food Bank food drive

The teens behind it was the school’s Leadership class, which a month ago set a goal to collect even more for the Sooke Food Bank.
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EMCS Leadership students standing by crates containing thousands of non-perishable food items they collected in one night.

Edward Milne Community School broke its own record in the 10,000 Tonight food drive – collecting more than 10,000 food items in one night.

The teens behind it was the school’s Leadership class, which a month ago set a goal to collect even more for the Sooke Food Bank.

And it did.

In one night, EMCS, along with handfuls of volunteers, collected 11,007 nonperishable food items. The company that supplied the delivery truck, ColdStar Solutions, also provided its own batch of 2,100 food items.

Todd Powell, EMCS’s Leadership teacher who helped guide the students on their initiative, is pleased of the drive and success.

“I couldn’t be prouder of this incredible group of young adults,” Powell said. “They showed drive, passion, energy, and most importantly, a recognition of the needs of their community.”

Powell added that at the end of the night, instead of heading off to bed, 20 students went to the food bank to continue helping unload and sort items.

The big push helped prepare the Sooke Food Bank for 2017 but it’s not clear of running out of food, said food bank coordinator Kim Metzart, adding the early winter months are the doldrums for donations as everyone is recovering after the roller coaster of the holiday season.

“Part of us able to do so good is because we get so much help during this time,” she said, reminding everyone to keep an eye out for each other in the community, as the hard times for many in Sooke aren’t over once Christmas is finished.

“Don’t forget about your neighbours and check in. We always look like we’re doing OK, but sometimes we’re not.”