Canned goods and more needed for Women’s Resource Society food drive

FORT ST. JOHN — The Women’s Resource Society is holding a food drive on September 22nd as it struggles with a lack of donations and an increase in outreach store clients, similar to The Salvation Army.

Last week, The Salvation Army put out a call for donations as their shelves are also getting bare, and the demand for their food bank increased. 

The food drive for the Women’s Resource Society will be held at the Shoppers Drug Mart on 10351 100th Street from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Friday. 

Volunteer Jamie Parsons says these shortages occur during the summertime since families become more active and require more resources when kids are off school. This leads to more resource retention in the population, thus reducing the amount of donations entering the winter. 

Parsons also mentions that there’s been a significant increase in the number of people who use their outreach store. 

“I don’t know the numbers off the top of my head. We recently went over our statistics, and the numbers are huge,” said Parsons

Many items are needed, including canned food, microwaveable items, oatmeal, cereal, granola bars, juice boxes, pasta, ramen noodles, rice, shampoo, diapers sizes 4-7, baby wipes and extras like pet food. Cash donations and socks will also be accepted at the event. 

The Women’s Resource Society will also accept donations at Shoppers Drug Mart until October 6th and at their main location from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday.

For more information, see the Women’s Resource Society’s website and donation list.