Fort St. John Association for Community Living hosts food drives for Salvation Army

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Fort St. John Association for Community Living (FSJACL) is hosting food drives in March to help out the local Salvation Army’s food bank.

Sheri Ashdown, the inclusion and employment program manager at the FSJACL, says the people they work with have a low income themselves, such as people with disability income assistance.

“So we wanted to give back to people that give to them,” Ashdown said.

She says they’re really trying to do more “community-based” activities for the inclusion program.

“Going forward, we’re hoping to work with the Women’s Resource [Society] next month, and then we’re looking at maybe partnering with an animal rescue to raise money for them,” Ashdown said.

“Our main goal is just to give back to the community because the community is always giving back to us.”

Those supported by the FSJACL sign up for programs through a calendar. So far, all the spots for the food drive have already been filled, and a waitlist has been created, said Ashdown.

The FSJACL will be at the Pomeroy Sport Centre to collect donations on March 5th, 12th and 26th from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The individuals the FSJACL works with will also be involved in dropping off donations to the food bank once all the items are collected.

The Salvation Army’s most needed items include:

• Bathroom tissue.
• Canned fruit.
• Canned proteins like tuna, salmon, chicken, and ham.
• Shampoo and conditioner.
• Coffee.
• Pasta and canned spaghetti sauce.
• Canned chunky soups and chilli.
• Laundry soap.
• Dish soap.