Victoria garbage collectors are giving a helping hand to the Mustard Seed food bank this week, picking up donations of non-perishable items from city households.
Last year’s Public Works Food Drive collected more than 14,000 pounds of food, worth roughly $36,000.
Crews are doing a different route each day. Donations should be in a separate bag marked “food items” and left near garbage cans.
Residents who miss the food pickup day are encouraged to drop off items directly at the Mustard Seed, 625 Queens Ave.
Meanwhile, the 13th annual Esquimalt Christmas Food Drive is underway and happens for the next two weeks.
Donations go to Esquimalt Neighbourhood House, a multi-service agency that provides emergency meals to people in need.
Residents are asked to place non-perishables in bags marked “food drive” and put them alongside your garbage bin on collection day.
Food bags will be gathered at homes north of Old Esquimalt Road until Dec. 7 and south of there from Dec. 10 to 14. Donations are also being accepted at municipal hall, 1229 Esquimalt Rd., and the public works yard, 601 Canteen Rd.
dpalmer@vicnews.com