Sooke’s Canada Post staff will be holding their annual Postie Food Drive on May 26 in front of Western Foods and Village Food Markets from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The food drive is done each year to help the Sooke Food Bank Society restock its shelves.
Although donations of non-perishable food items like cereals and canned goods make all the difference in the world, monetary donations can go even further.
“Money goes a lot further than food, and so that’s encouraged,” said Ingrid Johnston, president of the Sooke Food Bank Society.
With monetary donations, the food bank can ensure staple food items are purchased through smart shopping and buying in bulk.
Johnston said the Postie Food Drive is one of the most important of the year, as donations tend to slump in the summer months when people go on vacation.
“It’s one of our most important drives. There’s a mountain of food they bring in and lots of money, and we really depend on them,” she said.
“At this time of year people don’t think of us... we spend about $3,000 a month in groceries and we’re lucky to get a $100 in donations.”
Until the Postie Food Drive and comes around in the Spring, the Sooke Food Bank coasts on donations made during the Christmas season.
Canada Post employee, Elleen Christofferson, has been participating in the Postie Food Drive for the past 11 years, and said food donations were down last year, compared to years previous.
“Last year the volume was down, but the years previous have been pretty good,” she said.
In 2011, 350 pounds of food were donated, which was down from 479 pounds in 2010. But cash donations saw an increase, with $359 donated in 2011, compared to $261 in 2010.
The Sooke Food Bank, located in the Sooke Community Hall on 2037 Sheilds Road, is open the first, second and third Thursday of each month from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. One hamper is given per month to those in need.
In order to receive assistance, proof of residence in Sooke, and Care Cards of recipients must be presented to staff.