The 2020 Boots for Food drive for the Parksville Volunteer Fire Department was a huge success. Although different from previous years with no door-to-door neighbourhood collection, District 69 firefighters came together over the weekend to collect for the Salvation Army foodbank.
Physically distanced and masked, our firefighters were at Parksville's Save-on-Foods, Thrifty's, Quality Foods and Tim Hortons asking residents to help fill the boots for food. And that they did! Preliminary total is $75,644 with $32,567 collected by Parksville firefighters, $2,475 donated by the Parksville Firefighters Association and $200 collected for the Society of Organized Services. Once again, Craig Bay residents were extremely generous, donating $40,402 and 2,200 pounds of food items.
"Thank you to the community for your incredible support for Boots for Food 2020 and to Parksville Fire Department members for your volunteer support. More people will need to access the foodbank during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is truly amazing to see our residents come together to help," said Fire Chief Marc Norris.
Donations are extremely important to the Salvation Army foodbank and the Society of Organized Services to provide for less fortunate in our community. Donations may also be made as follows:
- Society of Organized Services is gratefully accepting donations for the Christmas program. Financial donations can be made online anytime at www.sosd69.com and also by phone, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4.30 pm at 250 248-2093. Due to pandemic operating restrictions, toys, gifts and gift cards for children and youth can be dropped off at the SOS Christmas Tent located outside the SOS Community Services Centre (245 West Hirst Ave, Parksville, on the McMillan Street side of the building) starting November 16 every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 am to 11.30 am.
- Salvation Army food donations are accepted at 886 Wembley Road, Monday to Friday from 8 to 11.30 am and Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 1 to 3.30 pm. Monetary donations may be made as follows:
- By mail, cheque to Mount Arrowsmith Salvation Army, P O Box 1874, Parksville V9P 2H6
- By phone with credit card to 250 586-6250, Monday to Thursday
- Online with a credit card
