The Goldstream Food Bank received a large donation of turkeys, toys and cash from the Market on Millstream and Millstream Village Shopping Centre Wednesday afternoon.
The donations will help families in need celebrate the holidays with their loved ones and ensure holiday cheer is spread throughout the West Shore community.
“We couldn’t fulfill our mission and our program without generosity like this and people coming forward,” said Gail Ireland, president of the food bank. “It makes a lot of people’s lives a lot less stressful and happier and easier.”
Jason Boer, the store manager of the Market on Millstream was there to help drop off the donations with Sheila Larabie, marketing manager of Millstream Village Shopping Centre.
“It feels good just to be able to help out the community and hopefully help some less fortunate families this Christmas,” Boer said.
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The toys, food and money were raised through various events held at Millstream Village leading up to the holidays.
“I think this is what Christmas is all about,” Larabie said.
Karen Birtwistle, the toy room co-ordinator at the food bank, said they have received many donations from several organizations.
“It could be anything from a few toys to literally truck loads of toys,” Birtwistle said. “It overwhelms me and it overwhelms the people getting it, we have people leaving in tears of joy.”
Birtwistle said this year, the food bank is noticing more demand in the community.
“I think that things are getting tighter out there for them,” Birtwistle said. “It’s just the way life is right now.”
Last year, the Goldstream Food Bank served around 1,100 people and is making about 600 Christmas hampers this holiday season.
The food bank was still taking last minute applications for hampers and is always taking donations.
For those looking to donate, the Goldstream Food Bank is located at 761 Station Ave. in the basement of the Langford Legion.
shalu.mehta@goldstreamgazette.com