A group of downtown businesses, including The Citizen, are involved in a collective effort this week to stuff shelves of the Salvation Army food bank.

They've joined forces in the We Scare Hunger campaign.

For the next three days leading up to Halloween, employees of 15 establishments are being encouraged to bring donations to work to donate to the food bank, a project organized by the KPMG accountancy firm.

The We Scare Hunger food drive is nationwide, wherever KPMG offices are located. It started last year, known as Halloween for Hunger, with seven local businesses involved.

"This year it's gotten much bigger," said Roque. "We're going to see if we can fill our boardroom table with food.

"Last year at this time the food bank was a shortage of stuff for children's lunches and they had to leave out some items from the food hampers. When we called the Salvation Army they said this couldn't have come at a better time."

The Salvation Army distributed a list of 25 items that it is lacking and employees are being encouraged to bring such things as macaroni and cheese, canned soup and granola bars to work.

"I hope we can collect enough food to carry them through to Christmas," said Roque.

KPMG will send a truck to pickup donations Wednesday on Halloween and staff will deliver the items to the Salvation Army headquarters at 777 Ospika Blvd.

If any other businesses want to get involved the food drive, call Roque at 250-614-4070.