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Metal recyclcers move again, food bank donations down

With donations to the Comox Valley Food Bank dropping off, the food bank president is drawing attention to a metal recycling program that recently moved to a new location in Courtenay.
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Gord Liske (left) of ABC Recycling and Comox Valley Food Bank president Jeff Hampton draw attention to the food bank's ongoing need for donations.

With donations to the Comox Valley Food Bank dropping off, the food bank president is drawing attention to a metal recycling program that recently moved to a new location in Courtenay.

The Comox Valley Food Bank Metal Drive recently moved its dropoff site to 2760 Moray Ave. A big red ABC Recycling bin is now located behind Capital Glass, Sears Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning and Romero's Auto Repairs.

Donations to the food bank are falling quite a bit right now, according to Jeff Hampton, president of the Comox Valley Food Bank Society.

"Demand hasn't dropped, but the supplies have," he said. "We are in a traditional time where donations do drop off."

The boundary of the Comox Valley Food Bank has recently shifted.

The southern boundary used to extend all the way to Bowser, but the Parskville Salvation Army Food Bank has opened a satellite food bank in Bowser at the church on McColl Road. The Comox Valley Food Bank's southern boundary is now Cook Creek.

"Anything south is in Parksville's area now, and anything north is us," said Hampton.

The Comox Valley Food Bank Metal Drive is hoping to help meet the need at the food bank.

In this program, started by local resident Gord Liske last October, ABC Recycling accepts everything from pots and pans and appliances to cars and equipment, and staff members volunteer to pick up the metal and truck it to Campbell River to be recycled.

A cheque is then prepared for the food bank representing the value of the metal.

"I enjoy doing it," said Hampton. "It's another way of recycling, and it's for a good cause. I appreciate (Liske) doing this, too. I wish I had more people that would help us now. Everyone working together helps us in the long run."

Liske has had very good public response to the program.

"People are more than willing to donate their unwanted metal," he said. "Instead of going to the dump and getting nothing, it's going to a good cause. It's a good program. Everybody likes being involved, ABC Recycling, me. It (the food bank) really helped me when I needed it."

Volunteers and a truck are available to pick up heavier pieces of metal. Contact Liske at 250-218-8006 for information.

writer@comoxvalleyrecord.com