Nicola Valley Food Bank has two events on the go

MERRITT – The Nicola Valley Food Bank (NVFB) is looking for more help with two upcoming campaigns.

“It’s a tough time for everybody and we are asking again for support and I hate doing that but there is so many people out there that need the help,” said Derlanda Hewton with the NVFB.

The ‘help fill the freezer food drive’ is taking place, in partnership with Save-On-Foods, later this month.

“Donations are down this time of the year and we just need to get stocked up. We are hoping that by doing this it will help us with our protein choices when it comes to meat products otherwise I will have to purchase. Hopefully even one freezer, if we can get it half full, we will be happy because anything helps,” said Hewton.

When it comes to what they are looking for, Hewton said they will accept anything.

“Any kind of meat, it doesn’t matter what, just to help feed our families. Our van is going to be there too so we can put the non perishable food items into it.”

The food drive will take place from January 27-29 between 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m..

Also coming up in February is the Coldest Night of the Year, but Hewton said it’s not too early to help out for that campaign.

“We are looking for walkers and team members. The proceeds are going to be put towards our new building, that we don’t have any knowledge of where we are going to go or anything but it is a need, and we just need to keep going. This is pretty much our first capital campaign fundraising that we are doing this year. This kind of thing people do it at the last minute but really to help us we are asking people to make the decision to join our Coldest Night of the Year campaign.”

Hewton understands that it is a tough time for residents but she wanted to assure everyone that all of the proceeds and donations stays within the community.

“I just want the community to know that we appreciate their support and it has been a tough past 6 months. It’s been hard, we have had a lot of new clients and the donations are down and even getting product into the stores, so its a challenge.”

The Coldest Night of the Year walk takes place on February 25. To create or join a team, visit their website.