More than 42,000 kg of additional donated non-perishable food is required to pull off the annual Hamperville program in Nanaimo. The 16th annual campaign is a joint effort between Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank and the Salvation Army. (Submitted photo)

By Ian Holmes

food drive

More donations and volunteers needed for vital Hamperville Nanaimo campaign

Nov 30, 2019 | 1:57 AM

NANAIMO — The Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank needs a boost at its busiest time of year.

Executive director Peter Sinclair told NanaimoNewsNOW their food donations are below what’s required to feed more than 5,000 people and 2,200 households relying on their annual Hamperville program.

“People often put things off, they do their Christmas shopping late,” Sinclair said. “We’re asking they bump up their donations to the food bank because we’re going to need that sooner rather than later.”

Sinclair said cash donations are valuable, as are canned meats, fruits, pasta, beans and peanut butter dropped off at their Fry St. warehouse.

He said demand at their 11 depots is up between three and five per cent so far this year.

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“That’s obviously a concern people needing to use the food bank, it’s also a concern because we need to meet that demand and make sure that they have food.”

Clients can sign up for a hamper until Dec. 7 at any Loaves and Fishes depot. They are handed out between Dec. 9 and 23.

Late registrations can be made on Dec. 23, where clients will then be given their food hamper on the spot.

Sinclair said in addition to more food, well over 200 volunteer shifts need filling to support the Hamperville program this month.

More information on the Hamperville campaign, including volunteering opportunities, are available here.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com
On Twitter: @reporterholmes