FSJ Safeway raises over $7K for Salvation Army food bank over holiday season

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – Staff at the Fort St. John Safeway gathered outside the store Thursday to present the Salvation Army with a $7, 676.14 cheque from donations raised over the holiday season.

Jared Braun, with the Salvation Army, says this donation will significantly add to the services the food bank is able to provide.

“We’re so well supported by stores like Safeway with ongoing food donations that we pick up every day. But there are always items that we need that we maybe don’t necessarily have on the shelves,” Braun said.

“[This donation allows us to] meet the unique needs that our clients have, and it gives them more dignity when we’re able to provide nourishing foods.”

Safeway Store Manager, Cyl Bagadiong, says the fundraising project was an initiative that is close to his heart.

“Having been a first a generation migrant here in Canada in my early life here, I was a client of a food bank. So ever since, the food bank is very close to my heart in terms of support,” Bagadiong said.

The funds will be added to the $105,000 raised locally through the 2021 Christmas kettle campaign.