First Nations and community groups have received funding from a forestry company to provide gifts and other needs in the holidays.

Western Forest Products announced a total of $100,000 would be provided to First Nations and partners on the Island, Sunshine Coast and Washington State.

The Powell River Food Bank has received funding from the forestry organization, and manager Savanna Dee says it is needed as demand has increased this year.

“With these unprecedented times of this pandemic, help is needed more than ever at the food bank”, said Dee. “Christmas is a crucial time of year as we struggle with the increased demand and we really appreciate Western Forest Products for helping us ‘Feed Our Community’.”

Other organizations along the North Island and Campbell River include:

• Harvest Food Bank (Regional District of Mount Waddington, Alert Bay, Coal Harbour, Holberg, Winter Harbour, Port
• Alice, Port Hardy, Port McNeill, Sointula, Woss)
• Village of Port Alice
• Campbell River Food Bank
• Angel Tree Society (Sayward, Campbell River)
• Gold River Food Network

Funding is also being given out to organizations on the mid and south Island including the Cowichan Valley Basket Society (CVBS). The organization says they will use the funding for the community soup kitchen and food bank.

"Donations to the CVBS allow us to continue to work towards alleviating hunger within the Cowichan Valley. Canadian food banks will typically distribute between $5 and $9 of food for every $1 received in donations, over the course of a year,” said Lee Smith, Board of Directors chairperson, CVBS.

“As we approach Christmas 2021, we are seeing the demand for our services steadily rising, as exacerbated by recent flooding events. We are very grateful to Western Forest Products for their generous and on-going support."

zOther organizations on the Island receiving funding include:

• Ladysmith Rescue Centre Association
• Great Nanaimo Toy Drive
• Chemainus Harvest House Society food bank
• Salvation Army Alberni Valley
• Farmlands Trust Society (Saanichton and Greater Victoria

Western Forest Products says the funding varies from organization to organization based on community size and/or needs.

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UPDATE - As of Monday morning, Stuff the Trailer raised $43,684. People are still encouraged to drop off non-perishable items or buy the pre-made $5 or $10 hampers for the food bank.

POWELL RIVER, B.C. – It was a busy couple of weeks, but well worth it.

95.7 Coast FM teamed with City Transfer and Safeway to help the local Powell River Action Centre Food Bank. The goal was to set up a City Transfer trailer with as many donations as possible for the food bank.

Rough numbers are in, and the campaign raised more than $41,000.

“I’m just blown away, that people, when you really need it the most, they come through. What they’re (residents) doing for their community and for our local food bank…their generosity…it never ceases to amaze me,” said Steve Wadsworth, the manager of the local Safeway.

“It’s not always easy this time of year, but people find a way (to help). They have a look through their covers or maybe they throw that extra two or five dollar donation at the till, it all adds up and it really, really makes a difference.”

Savanna Dee with the food bank thanked all residents of Powell River who helped out during this season’s campaign.

“It will last us until next Christmas,” she said, talking about the food and cash donations collected during Stuff the Trailer.

“Thank you so much for helping those people in our community that are just having a hard time.”

Official numbers from the campaign are expected to be available on Monday.

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The 2016 Stuff the Trailer event was a huge success.

The campaign helped collect items for the Powell River Food Bank. Spokesperson Savannah Dee says she is extremely happy with how it turned out. Dee says $33,500 was raised towards the Food Bank.

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Former co-coordinator of the Powell River Food Bank Gina Kendrick recently passed away, and Dee says her legacy will live forever. Dee says Safeway will honour Kendrick's legacy with a plaque.

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Dee says you can donate cash and food items year-round to help out local families in need.

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Stuff the Trailer continues in Powell River this week. The goal is to fill the trailer with donations to help the Powell River Action Centre Food Bank.

Savannah Dee with the Powell River Action Centre Food Bank says it's been an overwhelming response from the community so far. She says the trailer is around three-quarters full right now.

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The trailer will be on location collecting donations until Friday. Donations were also collected at the Powell River Kings game on the weekend.

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The BC Thanksgiving Food Drive was a major success this year in Powell River.

The event helps collect food and financial support for local food banks and groups in need in British Columbia. Organizer Bill Norris says they had 82 volunteers in Powell River and were able to collect 11,798 pounds this year. He notes the addition of Cranberry made a huge difference in numbers.

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Norris says he is very thankful to everyone that came out to help with the food drive.

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The annual event delivers food and financial support to local food banks in British Columbia. Norris says the food is divided up between the food bank, Salvation Army and the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

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