How you can help wildfire victims
Posted July 14, 2017 9:38 am.
Last Updated July 15, 2017 1:45 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – There are plenty of ways to help out the people who have been hit the hardest by the wildfires in the Interior.
The BC Food Banks Association is hard at work getting help to those affected by the wildfires.
Executive Director Laura Lansink says they’re making sure food banks in affected communities are stocked and they’re getting help from local grocery stores and trucking companies.
She says cash donations are great, but food works as well.
“People in the Lower Mainland who want to help, who have done maybe an office food drive or something like that, they can bring their items to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. As soon as I have a truckload I’ll be able to send it back up.”
She says many grocery stores are accepting and matching donations to the Red Cross.
“In some cases I’ve encouraged them to donate cash. Cash is the easiest way to just buy food and make sure that we can get it up there really quickly,” says Lansink.
Stores such as Save On Foods, Safeway, Loblaws, Walmart, Shoppers Drug Mart, IGA and Fresh St. Markets are all accepting and matching donations.
Julie Dickson is with Save on Foods.
“On Saturday we launched our disaster relief fundraising efforts in all Save On Foods across Canada, which includes a company match up to $100,000.”
She says Save On is also working with the BC Food Banks Association and Red Cross to provide loads into affected communities including sending 16 skids of goods to Ashcroft and Cache Creek on Wednesday with plans to do the same today.
The Red Cross is also accepting monetary donations for the wildfire victims.
On its website the charity gave an indication of where the funds would go to.
“Your donation will help provide immediate relief such as cots, blankets, family reunification and financial assistance for food, clothing and personal needs. Beyond meeting immediate needs, your donation may also help re-entry and go towards more long-term recovery, resiliency and preparedness.”
You can donate to that organization here.
Here is a list of other organizations that you can donate to.