What does 800 pounds of food look like? ISSofBC ELSA students in Richmond found out after they collected that amount and over $500 to donate to the Richmond Food Bank Society.
The drive was a student initiative as a result of recent class field trips to the food bank, located across from ISSofBC Cedarbridge. After the tour, students took it upon themselves to start collecting food to help those in need for the holiday season.
“The initiative of presenting students and the response from all students exceeded expectations,” said Lois Armerding, ISSofBC ELSA manager in Richmond.
Students not only set up a collection box but also presented information about the need for food in the community to other ISSofBC classes and posted reminders throughout the Richmond locations.
“Some students were surprised to know that one out of four children in Richmond live in poverty and that Richmond has the second highest child poverty rate of any municipality in BC,” Armerding said.
Over the last two weeks, students, clients and staff contributed to designated boxes at ISSofBC Richmond sites on Cedarbridge Way and Alexandra Road. At the end of the drive students collected 800 pounds of pasta, canned goods, cereals, soups and other imperishable goods.
The food bank van arrived Tuesday, December 17 to collect the donations to put to good use in the community.
This is the second year the ELSA program in Richmond has conducted a food bank drive. The amount collected this year was double of last year’s total weight.
