More donations needed for community and school food drives

WELLINGTON – Sept. 22, 2022 – Residents of the Evangeline and surrounding areas will have another opportunity from Oct. 1 to 21 to help their less fortunate neighbors by contributing non-perishable food items to a food drive for the Summerside Salvation Army Food Bank and the Tyne Valley Caring Cupboard.

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. 16-22). This year, organizers are strongly encouraging people to increase their donations to the cause as the need is so great with winter and the Christmas season fast approaching.

"Many Islanders have experienced great financial hardship due to the closure of workplace or a reduction in their work hours due to the pandemic over the past two years. Many of these people have not yet been able to catch up financially so they have no choice but to turn to food banks and other social assistance agencies," 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 during its regular business hours. The food banks say they are particularly seeking in-demand products such as 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.), adults’ and children’s cereals, 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 in collaboration with Ms. Claudine Blaquière's high school sociology class. The class that collects the largest volume of food between Oct. 17-20 will win a $100 cash prize from the Provincial Credit Union. Families with school-aged children can make their contributions through the school.

-30-

CUTLINE: Last year, Mrs. Denise Millette's Grade 8 class won the $100 prize in the school food drive for the Summerside and Tyne Valley food banks.

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