After a year off due to COVID-19, one of the Westshore’s biggest food bank fundraisers is back.
For years students from Royal Bay Secondary School, Edward Milne Community School and Belmont Secondary School have gone house to house collecting non-perishable food items for the Goldstream and Sooke food banks.
“For well over a decade the drive’s been going on,” says Royal Bay teacher Sara Checkley.
“It started at old Belmont as a leadership initiative with some of our current PE teachers and it’s just grown and expanded.”
This year the fundraiser will have a decidedly different look from previous years.
“We’ve had to do it in the span of two weeks,” says student organizer Shayne Williamson.
“So Nov. 29th until Dec. 10th and we’re doing drive-thru days and also collecting food through our classrooms.”
“I really like the classroom competitive element of it and being able to sort of challenge my fellow teachers,” says Checkley.
Each donation dropped off at the school is a welcomed boost for Westshore families in need ahead of the holidays.
“This year it’s become more of a need and more of a necessity for us to put on this event and to help everyone out,” says Williamson.
The food drive is also a chance for students to take a leadership role in their community.
“It’s really impactful to see everyone get together through these two weeks and just see how we can come together as a community,” says Williamson.
You can drop off a food bank donation at Royal Bay Secondary School Dec. 2, Dec. 7, and Dec. 9 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. To make an online donation visit the Royal Bay Secondary School website.
Cole Sorenson
