The Goldstream Food Bank has been restocked on some critical supplies, thanks to a spur of the moment plan created by staff with the City of Langford.

On Tuesday afternoon, two shopping carts heaped with feminine hygiene products, as well as more than $6,500 in cash donations were presented to the food bank by a group of women on city staff and from the local business community.

Michelle Mahovlich, LangfordB次元官网网址檚 director of engineering, paid a visit to the food bank last week, having amassed a mountain of Shoppers Drug Mart points.

B次元官网网址淚 always save them up to buy and donate feminine hygiene products, and I was dropping them off and they said it was great timing, because they had just run out,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 went back to work, sent an email around and it grew from there.B次元官网网址�

Without realizing it, the donors chose to make their delivery on International WomenB次元官网网址檚 Day, March 8, making the donation even more fitting. Mahovlich said she has always made a point of donating hygiene products, given how expensive yet essential they are.

The need for the food bankB次元官网网址檚 services continues to grow B次元官网网址� the number of names on its client list has jumped 33 per cent in the last two months. As such any donation is greatly appreciated, especially it allows the food bank to distribute more items than the typical food hampers.

B次元官网网址淥ur feeling is anything we can give to free up expendable cash for our clients allows them to go out and purchase more of what they need,B次元官网网址� said president Gayle Ireland. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really hard out there, I donB次元官网网址檛 know how some people manage on a minimum wage job.B次元官网网址�

With recent cost increases in everything from rent to gas to groceries, the food bank expects demand will only go up, as more of the West ShoreB次元官网网址檚 growing population encounters financial pressure, said vice-president Walter Dubeau.

Cash donations typically go the furthest, as it allows the food bank to purchase more for their dollar through their partners. But donations of items not typically purchased, such as feminine hygiene products and pet supplies, are very appreciated by both the food bank and its clients.

Donations can be made through or in person during food bank hours. The food bank is typically open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon on the first three weeks of the month.

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