News release
For immediate release
Esquimalt, B.C.—For the twenty-third year, Township of Esquimalt staff have collected food and donations for Esquimalt Neighbourhood House (ENH). The local charity serves the Esquimalt community by providing several important services to children, youth, adults, families and seniors. Services include food distribution, early years and family resource programs; pre- and post-natal services; mental health and supportive counselling for adults; youth and family support; as well as help for seniors to remain living independently in their home.
The food drive is an initiative driven by Public Works staff supported by the township. It was started by Public Works staff to help Esquimalt Neighbourhood House fill their emergency food cupboard, so that they can provide food to the Esquimalt community.
“Thank you Esquimalt! Esquimalt’s annual food drive helps us replenish our emergency food inventory,” said Mary Lynn McKenna, Executive Director, Esquimalt Neighbourhood House Society. “We are called upon daily with requests from the community—families with children, people 55-plus and others—looking for urgent, short-term help with their food needs. We are able to quickly respond because of your generosity!”
The annual food drive collects food from late November until just before Christmas. Regular pantry items plus baking supplies, pet food and baby food are often on clients’ wish lists.
This year, the township collected five vans full of food (4,300 lbs) and other donations. These donations bolster the $5,000 given to ENH by the Esquimalt Fire Fighters Association at the beginning of December.
Donations to ENH are welcome year-round and can be made in-person or online at https://www.enh.bc.ca/donate/.
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