2024 FALL FOOD DRIVE:
HOW A COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER AND MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Craig Bay Residents 

We have made a huge difference with this donation of cash and groceries! This kind of “giving” means that many families will be able to augment their food budget with help from the Food Bank and that hot meals will continue to be made at the Soup Kitchen.

Your overwhelming generosity has made our 2024 fundraiser an enormous success!

CASH DONATIONS:
$70,105

TOTAL FOOD WEIGHT:
2723 pounds of groceries
going to our Salvation Army Food Bank

Here’s A Reveiw Of Our Giving Campaign

  • In August, Penny put a call out to last year’s Food Drive Team to see if hey would like to help again – all agreed! Jane recruited some new residents, so we were joined by Jill Rogers, Diane Reid and Jan Reinson.
     
  • Bill Webb was commissioned to make our Food Drive Poster – another work of art!
     
  • Penny met with Linda Cherewyk, manager of the Food Bank, to discuss the need for help with donations of food and cash. Linda filled me in on the increase in number of clients (families) that need that extra help with their grocery budget.
  • Penny met with Major Sergii Kachanov to confirm our presentation date – November 17 – that date matches the end date of the PVFD “FILL THE BOOT” campaign.
     
  • The Food Drive officially started on Oct 8th with outdoor drops twice a week. Committee members had so much fun greeting, thanking, weighing and tallying. We enjoyed seeing so many familiar faces and welcoming new residents to our fabulous community. We had 12 “Giving Days”, and all were either sunny or at least clear. NO RAIN!
     
  • Arrangements were made for our presentation to the PVFD and Salvation Army on Nov 17th.

Presentation Day November 17th

  • Major Sergii arrived early to meet and greet residents.
  • Sirens filled the air as the PVFD arrived – 5 Firefighters were greeted with applause!
  • After a welcome and speech by Penny, the BIG CHEQUE was revealed.
  • Senior Firefighter, Liam Robinson spoke to the generosity of our community and how much it means to their team, that we help with their yearly drive.

Major Sergii spoke last, his words of gratitude were softly spoken – from the heart – he said “I am so blessed to know you – your beautiful spirit – we appreciate each and every one of you. You are people with glowing hearts – you have truly made a difference”.

  • Jane Peverett helped organize and made schedules. Once again, Jane secured a large donation of women’s personal hygiene products from SHOPPER’S DRUG MART.  We are grateful to Michael Biogioni, owner of Parksville Shopper’s Drug and Cory George, manager of Cosmetics. Thanks to Shopper’s Drug Mart for donating $360 in personal hygiene products!
  • Because of Jane’s advocacy, Bosley’s now donates pet food monthly to the Food Bank. That wasn’t enough for Bosley’s – Jane & I picked up 50 pounds of sample pet food. The Food Bank takes care of animals too.  Many thanks to Brianne Carson, Keri Smith and Susan Howard, owners of Bosley’s.

MORE THANKS:

  • Bev Wilson, Mike Durnin, Marion Woodward, Dwayne Peverett, Al MacDonald dropped our twice weekly grocery donation at The Food Bank. Thanks to all!
  • Bill Webb, once again, made our fabulous poster and had to add another thermometer as the red rose! Bill creates magic with his Magic Markers!
  • Linda Cloutier penned our Big Cheque with her beautiful calligraphy.
  • Chris Chilton & Ross Rutherford set up tents on our “Giving Day”
  • Chris Chilton set up the microphone and sound system.
  • Reta Clark and Anne Collins took photos of the gathering.
  • Andrew Collins filmed the gathering. Andrew then, magically edited those photos and the film into a 2-minute video – with music!  See link below – it’s awesome!
  • As always, HUGE THANKS go out to Allison Siemens, who takes my written words and makes them look great! Allison has been so supportive of our Food Drive, and we are grateful to have such a skilled techno-whiz on our team!!

 

TAKE A LOOK AT THESE BIG NUMBERS!

 

Including this year’s success, since 2015 Craig Bay has donated

 

25,691 pounds of groceries
and $344,140

That’s lifting up, making better and giving back!