It's Jeff Hampton's hope that everyone in the Comox Valley can have a merry Christmas, and that includes having food on the table.
Hampton, the president of the Comox Valley Food Bank said that donations to the organization have been steady, and are down only slightly from last year.
"People want to make sure they have a merry Christmas," noted Hampton. "People are very generous before Christmas."
He added the food bank is most challenged in the new year from January until March.
One change this season is what Hampton describes as a "push for more perishables — more fresh fruit and veggies."
The Fresh From The Heart campaign is an attempt to provide fresh produce, milk and nutritional snacks to clients.
He said as long as the food bank is open and there are volunteers available, people can drop off perishable food that they can store in refrigerators overnight for distribution the following day.
Hampton said the program to distribute fruits and veggies began about a month ago, as a way to increase the distribution of "better, healthier food."
The Comox Valley Food Bank helps 1,200 people per month with emergency food hampers. Last year, the food bank distributed 7,863 food hampers to households in the community.
Currently, the most needed food is fresh fruits and vegetables, peanut butter and nuts, dried beans, cheese, eggs, canned beans, fish, meat, fruit, veggies, pasta sauce and toiletries.
Hampton added cash donations are also welcome, and with any financial donation, the food bank can issue tax receipts until Dec. 31.
The Comox Valley Food Bank is closed Dec. 26 and Jan. 2.
Hampton added he would like to thank the Comox Valley for supporting the organization, and "would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas."
photos@comoxvalleyrecord.com
Hampton, the president of the Comox Valley Food Bank said that donations to the organization have been steady, and are down only slightly from last year.
"People want to make sure they have a merry Christmas," noted Hampton. "People are very generous before Christmas."
He added the food bank is most challenged in the new year from January until March.
One change this season is what Hampton describes as a "push for more perishables — more fresh fruit and veggies."
The Fresh From The Heart campaign is an attempt to provide fresh produce, milk and nutritional snacks to clients.
He said as long as the food bank is open and there are volunteers available, people can drop off perishable food that they can store in refrigerators overnight for distribution the following day.
Hampton said the program to distribute fruits and veggies began about a month ago, as a way to increase the distribution of "better, healthier food."
The Comox Valley Food Bank helps 1,200 people per month with emergency food hampers. Last year, the food bank distributed 7,863 food hampers to households in the community.
Currently, the most needed food is fresh fruits and vegetables, peanut butter and nuts, dried beans, cheese, eggs, canned beans, fish, meat, fruit, veggies, pasta sauce and toiletries.
Hampton added cash donations are also welcome, and with any financial donation, the food bank can issue tax receipts until Dec. 31.
The Comox Valley Food Bank is closed Dec. 26 and Jan. 2.
Hampton added he would like to thank the Comox Valley for supporting the organization, and "would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas."
photos@comoxvalleyrecord.com