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Food bank digs upgraded

Applications ready for people needing a little extra over the holidays
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Wayne MacDonald hands off a couple bags from a cartful of donations to volunteer Donna Bramston at the Sidney Lions Food Bank. The goods came from a ladies night held at a local Sidney merchant.

The Sidney Lions Food Bank is kicking off Christmas hamper season in new digs.

The food bank that serves the entire Saanich Peninsula moved into a new municipal building at 9586 Fifth St. in Sidney, just up the block from their old location.

“The warehouse is fantastic,” said food bank administrator Bev Elder. “They have given us the rent for $1 a year and no utilities (costs) — that’s brilliant. That’s going to save us $7,000 a year just in rent, which we’re going to flip around to (use for) purchasing better food.”

While still exploring signage options and configuring for a small client intake area, they’re ready to make use of the new warehouse.

Hamper season is gearing up.

“If someone finds themselves in need of a little extra help, they can get the forms here,” Elder said.

Those helped around Christmas time range from families with young children to seniors on a fixed income.

They’ve got a new home for the hamper depot this year too, between Barbara’s Boutique and Jessie’s Juice in the 2300-block of Beacon Avenue. Volunteers there will collect donations for the food bank’s hamper campaign, as well as accepting cash and toy donations for the annual Kiwanis toy drive that provides gifts for kids.

The depot will be open Dec. 1 to 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will be closed Sundays.

Food bank donations can also be dropped off at the Fifth Street warehouse or made online at www.sidneyfoodbank.com. To inquire about applying for a hamper or making a donation, call 250-655-0679.

reporter@peninsulanewsreview.com