While it’s called 10,000 Tonight, the annual student-led food drive for the Goldstream Food Bank doesn’t stop there. Thanks to a solid volunteer base and the generosity of West Shore and Sooke area residents, the event tends to bring in far more.
Belmont secondary leadership teacher Mandart Chan said the drive accepted around 18,000 items last year and has never dipped below the 10,000 mark since it started in the early 2000s.
The creation of a Belmont leadership student, 10,000 Tonight has since expanded to include Royal Bay secondary and Edward Milne Community School – that school collects items for the food bank in Sooke – and has become a regular event of the early holiday season.
“It’s become … not just a school tradition but also a West Shore tradition,” Chan said. “(Residents) have their stuff all ready to go and as soon as they find out the dates they have things ready for us.”
This year’s drive takes place on Dec. 7 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Belmont and Royal Bay students will be canvassing just about every home in Langford and Colwood and many in View Royal and Metchosin as well, accepting donations of non-perishable food items.
If you’re not going to be home around that time, you can leave your donated items outside. If the students don’t happen to make it to your house, donations can be dropped off directly to the schools. Toiletries and new or gently used jackets are also being accepted.
Volunteers are also needed to drive students around the West Shore as they pick up items. To get involved, e-mail bssleadership@gmail.com.
joel.tansey@goldstreamgazette.com