Tomorrow is BC Thanksgiving Food for the Food Bank Day

If you came home to find a plastic bag and a note on your doorstep this week, you already know that September 17 is BC Thanksgiving Food for the Food Bank Day.

The local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had volunteers out delivering food donation bags and information brochures this week and they’ll be back to pick them up tomorrow.

Mayor Lyn Hall says the initiative really brings out the City’s community spirit.

“They’ve got a great track record. It’s the 6th year in the community. The Salvation Army Food Bank saw 18,000 pounds of food last year. Those are huge donations for a huge need.”

The goal for this year is more than 20,000 pounds of food for the Salvation Army Food Bank in Prince George. Provincially, the initiative is hoping to haul in 600,000 pounds.

If you’re wondering what items might be most appreciated, Salvation Army Captain Neil Wilkinson says balance is key.

“Everything is most needed. When we’re serving 1,500 families each and every month, there’s a very diverse requirement for the food bank. What we see is that things that are expensive to buy off the grocery shelves are the things that are most often lacking at the food bank.”

Canned proteins like chicken and tuna are good choices but Wilkinson says peanut butter goes the furthest to help feed hungry families.

“Things that are more expensive to buy, like a jar of peanut butter, they provide the best impact for a family that is in need. If someone donates a can of tuna, four people can get one serving out of a can of tuna. But if you donate a can of peanut butter, those same people can have lunches for 2 weeks.”

Another option is to try and fill your bag with a variety of items that can be used together to make a few meals.

“It’s always better to be able to think in terms of what’s going to be able to feed a hungry family for a longer period of time. That’s our challenge at the food bank is making sure that we provide healthy, nutritious options for people. Just because they can’t afford to buy food doesn’t mean they should be living off less nutritious food.”