The Williams Lake community offered its support to the Williams Lake Salvation Army Food Bank by donating non-perishable food items through the Williams Lake Fire Department and Kiwanis Club’s Christmas in July fundraiser.
On Tuesday night, members from the Williams Lake Fire Department visited various neighbourhoods in Williams Lake to collect donations.
Beginning at 6 p.m., firefighters riding in fire trucks with their lights flashing went around picking up boxes and bags of food items.
Units, followed by pick-up trucks, were sent to the areas of Westridge, Country Club Boulevard, Terra Ridge, Western Avenue, Midnight Drive, and sections of Ninth, 10th, 11th, and 12th avenues.
“Basically, with lights on and no sirens, they travel down the street, and the members on each truck go door to door,” says Fire Chief Randy Isfeld.
Yesterday the donations were loaded up onto a Salvation Army van and taken to the food bank for distribution to those in need.
Isfeld says the Williams Lake community has always been exceptionally generous over the years with its support for the fundraiser.
While donations to the food bank are always welcome, Isfeld says stock tends to be especially low during the summer months as most donations are made around Christmas.
The Williams Lake Kiwanis Club also participated in the food drive with the fire department. On Saturday it collected donations at Western Financial Group.
Isfeld says about 100 bags and boxes were donated Tuesday night, and that doesn’t include what was dropped off with Kiwanis members at Western Financial on Saturday.
“The citizens of Williams Lake have just been incredible,” Isfeld says.