Fill the Boots for Food and Toy Drive
Parksville Fire Rescue is once again asking the community to support the 2026 “Fill the Boots for Food” drive. Firefighters will collect cash donations for the Salvation Army food bank and new unwrapped toys for the Society of Organized Services (SOS) on Saturday, November 14 (8 am to 4 pm) and Sunday, November 15 (9 am to 3 pm). Firefighters will be at various locations in the City, such as grocery stores and Canadian Tire, asking residents to generously support the community. Please watch our social media feeds and website for locations.
Each year, residents in the Parksville Fire Protection Area generously support the annual drive and are the reason the food and toy drive is an incredible success. With $98,714 in cash donated in 2025, this drive and the generosity of our residents make a true difference to so many during the holiday season.
The first drive for the Parksville Volunteer Fire Department in 1988 helped stock the Salvation Army’s shelves for Christmas with about 5,000 pounds of food collected door to door. Over the years, local departments joined the campaign and now Parksville Fire participates with District 69 departments to collect donations and new unwrapped toys.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Donations are extremely important for the Salvation Army food bank and SOS to provide for less fortunate individuals and families in our community. Donations can also be made:
- SOS is gratefully accepting donations for its Caring for Community at Christmas program. The program provides special gifts for local children and youth, and grocery store gift cards are provided to families, adults and seniors so they may choose food that is meaningful to them over the holidays. Financial donations can be made online at sosd69.com, in person or by phone (250 248-2093), Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4.30 pm (closed noon to 1 pm). New, unwrapped gifts can be dropped off during the same hours at the SOS Community Services Centre in Parksville (245 Hirst Avenue West).
- Salvation Army food bank donations are accepted at 886 Wembley Road – Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 8:30 am to 4 pm (closed noon to 1 pm); Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 am to noon.
