West Islanders are coming together once again to lend a hand to the most vulnerable members of the community. Join the West Island Blog at Provigo Le Marché Kirkland for the annual Neighbours for Neighbours Food Drive on Saturday, November 7, 2020 from 9am to 4pm! All COVID-19 guidelines will be adhered to as safety is the number one priority.
Donating will be easier than ever - just place your bag of non-perishable items in the carts set up outside Provigo and volunteers will take it from there! There will also be containers for much-needed monetary donations where you can contribute by simply dropping in some spare change or bills. Financial donations allow food banks the flexibility of buying fresh perishables for their hampers or loading up on items they’re not getting enough of. Unsure of what to bring to a food drive? Typically, items stored in your pantry that don't require refrigeration, like dry and canned foods, are safe to donate as long as they have not reached their "sell by" date. Check out the list below for some ideas of what non-perishable items can be donated.
Most needed food and household items
Pasta (canned or dry) and pasta sauces
Canned meats and fish
Meat alternatives (peanut butter, soy, assorted nuts)
Canned goods (beans, soups, and stews)
Dairy (shelf-stable, canned, and powdered milk)
Canned vegetables and fruit
Whole grain cereals
Infant foods and baby formula
Bathroom tissue and diapers
Personal hygiene productsThese are the food and household items most urgently needed by food banks per Food Banks Canada.
Whole grain foods like oatmeal, barley, high-fibre cereals or whole-grain pasta contain plenty of fibre and are an excellent source of minerals like magnesium and iron. Food banks with meal programs will use them in their kitchens to create fresh meals for their clients.
Baby cereals and jarred baby foods make good donations since roughly one third of Canadian food bank recipients are children.
Lean proteins from foods like canned tuna and chicken; plant proteins like peanut butter, beans, and lentils; or more complete proteins contained in other canned meats help in the maintenance of body tissue and contribute to a feeling of satiety. Nut butters are a favourite because they’re a versatile ingredient in snacks and meals.
Canned fruit is high in vitamin C and dietary fibre. Likewise, if they’re free of added salt and sugars, studies suggest that frozen and canned vegetables are often as good as fresh produce.
Milk alternatives like shelf-stable milk, powdered milk, almond milk, and rice milk from the grocery store shelf contain vitamin D, vitamin A, and, most importantly, calcium. Rice particularly brown rice is preferred by many.
Money is by far the best donation you can make to your local food bank as it allows them the freedom to stock low inventory and high-demand items.
What: West Island Blog's Annual Neighbours for Neighbours Food Drive
Where: Provigo Le Marché Kirkland
16900, aut. Transcanada Kirkland, QC, Canada H9H 4M7
