This September marks the third year for a large-scale project benefiting food banks throughout the province. For the first time, the effort is coming to Prince George.
The BC Thanksgiving Food Drive (BCTFD) began in 2009, as a local effort by volunteers and members of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) to serve the disadvantaged in Burnaby.
"The main goal is to get food in the foodbank. September through December is a time that they are very appreciative of whatever donations they can get," said John Young,
representative for the LDS community in Prince George.
This year in B.C., more than 3,000 BCTDF volunteers will visit 150,000 addresses across the province in hopes of collecting 100,000 pounds of food to donate to local food banks, with 1,000 pounds coming from Prince George.
"I think that 1,000 pounds is a minimum. I think we can get that," said Young.
This year the project has expanded to reach more than 40 communities across the province and includes partnerships with various faiths, businesses and social organizations.
The local volunteers will be passing out flyers explaining what to donate and bags for the food.
"We aren't reaching all the areas of the city, we aren't that big yet, this is our first effort here in Prince George. The hope is that in the future the capacity will be expanded as well," said Young.
Residents are encouraged to donate non-perishable food and leave the bag outside, where the volunteers will pick the bags up and won't have to disturb residents by knocking on the door.
On Sept. 5 to 6, packages will be dropped off to residents and the full bags will be picked up on the morning of Sept. 10, said Young.
"We are trying to go door-to-door without knocking on doors."
