Belmont secondary students will knock on doors in search of 10,000 non-perishable food items.
The high school’s annual 10,000 Tonight food drive, when students and volunteers travel through neighbourhoods in Langford and Colwood asking residents for non-perishable food items, is planned for Dec. 4.
“These kids are fantastic, they bring in all sorts of speciality items, like chocolates, that we can use in our Christmas hampers,” said Gayle Ireland, Goldstream Food Bank president. “We really appreciate the commitment of the students and the community’s support.”
Grade 12 students Hope Robinson and Haley More are excited to organize the event after two years of involvement.
“The first year I was just blown away with it. We collected 15,000 items,” said Robinson.
The fundraiser is an initiative of Belmont’s Leadership class, but hundreds of other students, and former students, volunteer the night of the event.
The goal each year is to collect 10,000 items. Last year the students gathered 9,000 the night of the event, then added another 1,000 later.
“We would like to get the 10,000 all in one night this year,” Robinson said. “Ten thousand is the goal, but we’re just happy to be helping feed the community.”
Belmont students are seeking adult volunteers to drive to neighbourhoods, as student drivers in the graduated licensing program can only have one other passenger in the car.
“With more people in the car we can split up into groups and cover more houses faster,” said More.
Volunteer drivers do not have to commit to the entire four hours of the event, even driving for 45 minutes is appreciated, said Robinson.
For residents living outside of Langford and Colwood, donations can be dropped of at the north gym of Belmont, 3067 Jacklin Rd., from 5 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 4. Donations will also be accepted in the school office from Dec. 2 to 6.
To volunteer as a driver email belmontten@gmail.ca