BC Thanksgiving Food Drive Coming to Your Door

September 15th to 20th, 2025

The 18th Annual BC Thanksgiving Food Drive is approaching during the week of September 15th to 20th. Volunteers will be leaving bags at numerous front doors to assist in stocking local Food Banks with essential supplies.

Local food banks have experienced an increase of 80 to 100% in visits over the last year. This is an opportunity for you to contribute towards addressing this crisis from the convenience of your own home.

Volunteer teams from various organizations, businesses, churches, and families will deliver paper bags to your doorstep. Keep an eye out for these bags in different neighborhoods across Duncan, Chemainus, Cowichan Bay, Crofton, Ladysmith, Lake Cowichan, and Mill Bay. The bags will be labeled with instructions printed on them. Please fill them with non-perishable items such as canned goods, dried foods, and cereal, then place them outside your door by 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 20th. The teams will return to collect your generous donations. All collected food items will be distributed to local food banks including the Cowichan Valley Basket Society (Duncan Food Bank), Mill Bay Food Bank, Lake Cowichan Food Bank, and Chemainus Harvest House Food Bank.

If you do not receive a bag or prefer to donate online, click this link CVBS.ca/thanksgiving. Food banks have significant purchasing power and can stretch your donations far.

The rise in family expenses, especially food costs, has led to a higher demand for our local food banks’ services. According to Food Banks Canada, 33% of food bank users are children, 43.8% are single individuals, and over 8% are seniors. Surprisingly, 1 in 6 recipients are employed.