Amid a low supply of food, the Salvation Army in Penticton will be accepting donations at the Peach Festival’s upcoming Grand Parade.
The food bank is asking people to keep them in mind this Saturday, Aug. 6, as the community prepares for the anticipated parade through downtown Penticton.
“Demand is up right now by about 35 to 40 per cent,” explained Alan Madsen, community ministries director at the Salvation Army. “Penticton is a generous community and we will take anything that people can give right now…any non-perishable pasta, sauce, canned soups, juice boxes, canned fruit and vegetables.”
The Salvation Army will be picking up donations along the parade route, which will start at Main Street and Eckhardt Avenue before moving towards the Rose Garden.
Madsen added that a “summer surge” of those using food-bank services has caused the local building to almost run out of everything.
The Grand Parade will feature floats from across B.C. and Washington State, as well as marching bands, dancers, gymnasts, musicians, clubs, associations and clowns, starting at 10 a.m.
Those in charge of leading the pack, however, are also keeping the Salvation Army in mind ahead of Saturday’s big day.
“We are asking the community to bring non-perishable food items with them to the parade to help fill the shelves of the food bank,” said Peach Fest president Don Kendall. “If everyone brings a few items to donate, or wants to donate financially, it can make a major impact to the food bank, which is in dire need.”
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