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Save-On-Foods stores across western Canada, including three in Nanaimo are collecting donations to help families with food security during COVID-19. (Save-On-Foods)
FEEDING FUND

Nanaimo Save-On-Foods stores join $1 million fundraising campaign

Apr 7, 2020 | 4:45 PM

NANAIMO — The city’s three Save-On-Foods locations have joined forces with stores across western Canada to providing easier access to meal supports during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Save-On-Foods locations have begun asking customers to donate either $2 or 500 reward points when completing their grocery purchase. Donations can also be made online through Breakfast Club of Canada, BackPack Buddies or iCan for Kids websites.

The donations will be collected and matched by the grocery store chain up to a total of $500,000.

The goal is to raise over $1 million and donate to the Breakfast Club of Canada and partner organizations. The club itself feeds nearly 250,000 youth across the country every year.

“As we ramp up efforts to support an increasing number of Canadian families facing food insecurity, this generous commitment to raise $1 million is a timely blessing” Breakfast Club of Canada president Daniel Germain said in a release.

Food bank’s across the province have been hit particularly hard by COVID-19 with job losses putting additional financial strain on families living paycheque to paycheque.

Laura Lansink, executive director of Food Banks BC said they provide service to nearly 100,000 people a month.

“Of these 1 in every 3 is a child,” Lansink said. “Food banks are working to ensure no child ever has to face hunger and we are pleased to be able to lend our resources, including advice and programming support, to this coordinated effort to get immediate relief to school children facing a new, urgent and unique need.”

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