Today may be Friday the 13th (Dec. 13), but tomorrow (Dec. 14) is the start of a 13th annual food drive hosted by those who save lives in Prince George.
First responders from BC Emergency Health Services and Ambulance Paramedics of BC will begin its food drive for the St. Vincent de Paul Society, collecting donations to feed those who come into the non-profit on a daily basis and to create hampers for families in need this holiday season.
“We are overwhelmed by the generosity we’ve seen in the past 12 years, and amazed at the outpouring of support for our community,” said Paramedic Jim VanderPloeg in an email to PrinceGeorgeMatters.
He adds that his team has already collected 60 boxes of food thus far, but are hoping to substantially increase the total as St. Vincent de Paul puts together an average of 325 hampers every winter to deliver to less-fortunate families in the city.
“We have seen a big increase in the number of hamper requests from low-income working families and seniors on fixed incomes,” said St. Vincent de Paul Society spokesperson Bernie Goold, who adds the emergency hampers consist of a week’s worth of groceries.
“It is only through the generosity of the people of Prince George that we are able to keep our doors open 365 days a year. We are simply the instruments that put it all together.”
Prince George paramedics will set up the fundraiser at Save-On-Foods Parkwood on Saturday (Dec. 14), 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., then at the College Heights location during the same hours on Sunday (Dec. 15).
The Society is asking for any kind of food donation, including ‘luxury items’ like juice, canned fruit and jello.
According to a release, St. Vincent de Paul (1220 2 Ave.) feeds roughly 120 people every breakfast and almost 200 at lunch every day in addition to 400 people at its annual Christmas Day dinner.
