The BC Thanksgiving Food Drive is preparing for its 18th annual campaign, with donation pick-up and drop-off scheduled across Greater Victoria on Saturday, September 20th.
This event has become a key part of communities throughout the province since it started in 2008. According to organizers, it now includes over 85 BC communities.
Every year, thousands of volunteers from church groups, grocery stores, businesses, and neighbourhood programs join forces to gather non-perishable food and donations for local food banks.
Last year’s food drive in Victoria collected 18,420 pounds of food and $730 in cash donations, reaching more than 19,000 households.
Volunteers provided over 600 hours of service in the area, with Saanich alone gathering 6,689 pounds of food for the Shelbourne Community Kitchen. This was nearly a 2,000-pound increase from the previous year.
“Your ongoing support makes a world of difference for our organization and the people we serve,” said Clarice Dillman, the former board chair of the Shelbourne Community Kitchen.
In 2024, about 6,000 volunteers across BC contributed over 22,000 hours to the food drive. Organizers say this effort does more than fill shelves, it also highlights the issue of food insecurity, which continues to rise.
Food Banks Canada reports that visits to food banks in BC have increased by over 80% from 2019 to 2024.
New visitors are appearing every week while donations have dropped. The annual food drive helps close this gap, ensuring families in need can access necessities as Thanksgiving approaches.
Organizers invite everyone to participate this year, whether by volunteering, donating food, or providing financial support.
Every contribution, they emphasize, makes a difference.
