As the holiday season approaches, a Langford volunteer-run food bank is looking for more donations as demand for their services continues to rise.
"Last year, in 2023, our numbers went up about 140 per cent, over a 40 per cent increase of what we were already supporting," said Gayle Ireland, president of the Goldstream Food Bank. "It's just an incredible need."
This year, the organization is once again partnering with West Shore RCMP for the Cram the Canoe/Cruiser event in December. They are also doing their annual Christmas Hamper program for those in need.
"We used to do maybe 75 to 80 hampers a day. The other week, we did 159 or something in one day," said Ireland. "It was just a lot of food moving out of here, a lot of effort, a lot of packing."
Additionally, the Real Canadian Superstore's annual Feed More Families Holiday Food Drive will collect food and monetary donations for the Goldstream Food Bank from Nov. 28 to Dec. 24 at their Langford location.
"It's the season people give, so people are walking in with $1,000 checks, $500 checks, $20, every little bit helps. Every dollar that we get as a donation, we can turn into about $2 worth of food with the relationships we have with some of the people we purchase food from."
Ireland says any sort of donation helps, though right now they are especially in need of diapers, and anything else that could support children including snacks like cheese and cracker sets, tuna snack boxes, fruit cups and pudding cups. They are also "always in need" of pet food as well.
"If you think you would like to eat it and it would make your dinner really special, then, buy it and we'll make sure it goes to a good home," she said.
