More donations needed for community and school food drives

WELLINGTON – Sept. 22, 2023 – Residents of the Evangeline and surrounding areas will have another opportunity from Oct. 1 to 20 to help their less fortunate neighbors by contributing non-perishable food items to a food drive for the Tyne Valley branch of the West Prince Caring Cupboard, the food bank that is now responsible for serving the Evangeline region.

This community and school drive is again being co-hosted by various co-op and community development partners on the occasion Co-op and Small Business Week (Oct. 15-21). This year, organizers are strongly encouraging people to increase their donations to the cause as the need is so great as the winter and the Christmas season are fast approaching.

« In these hard economic times, more and more people are having to turn to food banks since they simply don’t have the means to feed their families, » says Diane McInnis, marketing officer with the Provincial Credit Union, on behalf of the food drive partners. « On top of all that, the cost of living has increased drastically in recent years, complicating things for many families, adults and seniors.”

People in the community are invited to bring non-perishable food items to the Wellington Co-op or the Evangeline branch of the Provincial Credit Union during their regular business hours. The food bank say it is particularly seeking in-demand products such as Kraft Dinner, instant coffee, juice boxes, adults’ and children’s cereals, snacks for children, peanut butter, jams, hearty soups, chicken noodle soup, Mr. Noodles, canned meats (like flaked ham or chicken), canned fruit, meal accompaniments (Knorr Sidekicks, Hamburger Helper, rice, instant potatoes, etc.), pasta sauces, canned pasta, baked beans, etc.

Everyone who contributes will receive a ticket for a draw for a $100 Wellington Co-op gift card.

A food drive contest is also being held at Évangéline School. The class that collects the largest volume of food Oct. 10-20 will win a $100 cash prize from the Provincial Credit Union. Families with school-aged children can make their contributions through the school.

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PHOTO: Last year, the West Prince Caring Cupboard, Tyne Valley Branch, thanked Evangeline School for its annual contribution of non-perishable food items, since 2017, by presenting the school with a beautiful certificate. Pictured were, front row, from left, Frances MacInnes, Adriana Diamond, teacher Claudine Blaquiere accepting the certificate from board member Mary LeBlanc, Taia Gallant, Amber Arsenault and coordinator Doug LeBlanc; back row, Daniel Silliker, Jérome Gallant, Madison Simpson, Brent Arsenault, Keanna Arsenault, Adelle Joshua, Brooklin Richard and food bank coordinator Verna Barlow.

For more information, please contact
Diane McInnis
Marketing Officer
Provincial Credit Union
(902) 854-2595
dmcinnis@provincialcu.com