When the IEOA Truck Parade and Food Drive rolls through Greater Victoria on Saturday, Dec. 2, it won’t just be about the festive lights.
Now in its 24th year, the spectacle is put on in partnership between the Island Equipment Owners Association (IEOA) and the Mustard Seed Street Church, which operates a food bank that serves approximately 1,300-plus meals worth of donations per day. The parade has collected approximately 170,000 pounds of food donations and raised about $84,000 in financial contributions since the inaugural event.
“We are so excited to be part of this amazing event that brings the community together across the region, and supports local food banks and the people who rely on them,” said Colleen Sparks, director of development at the Mustard Seed Street Church. “Recent reports from Food Banks Canada show that one in three food bank users are children and with nearly 70,000 food insecure individuals across our region, the need has never been greater.”
Sparks said December is Mustard Seed’s busy season and that the organization is experiencing a greater need for donations this year.
“We have seen a slight decrease in the amount of food from some of our food drives – likely a result of the impact of rising costs of living that we all face – but are hopeful that many of our committed supporters will continue to give generously,” she said. “This year we are asking many of our supporters to consider a fund drive instead of a food drive, as every dollar donated goes further because of our buying power.”
This year’s parade includes 80 trucks/spots and there will also be itinerary changes, including a new last stop at the Royal Bay community in Colwood.
From Veterans, the parade will turn left on Sooke Road, then right on Metchosin Road, taking them to the heart of Royal Bay at the Commons, where GableCraft Homes and the City of Colwood are hosting a special ‘Christmas in Colwood’ event. The trucks will remain on-site for a short time, allowing guests to get a closer look at their favourites.
Victoria News is proud to support this initiative, collecting donations for the Mustard Seed Food Bank on the third floor at 818 Broughton St. and online at give-can.keela.co/black-press-community-fund-and-food-drive.