For families without a full table of food for the holidays, the volunteers taking to the streets on the West Shore Dec. 1 for 10,000 Tonight can be every bit as important as a visit from Santa Clause.

B次元官网网址淭he students are amazing, they do it all,B次元官网网址� said teacher and organizer Kevin Harrington. B次元官网网址淲e go to every single house in Colwood and Langford.B次元官网网址�

With a name that references the number of food donations they hope collect in one evening, the Belmont School initiative pairs students with a driver who are then assigned one of 75 routes.

With approximately 50 houses per route, volunteers walk door to door, one by one B次元官网网址� rain or shine -B次元官网网址� hoping to fill their arms with non-perishable food donations.

B次元官网网址淟ast year it was raining sideways, nasty weather, and we still came out,B次元官网网址� Harrington said of more than 300 volunteers. B次元官网网址淲e weathered it and did a good job and got the 10,000 food items and helped those in need ... This is truly something we must make sure happens every year.B次元官网网址�

Helping it happen this year is Rachael Brown, one of the the organizers from BelmontB次元官网网址檚 leadership class who felt compelled to contribute after an inspirational experience in last yearB次元官网网址檚 drive.

B次元官网网址淚n Canada 2.7 million people are food insecure and 33 per cent of that is children,B次元官网网址� the Grade 12 student said. B次元官网网址淭hose statistics are shocking to hear ... Canada is not a third world country.B次元官网网址�

Even though she graduates from high school in June, she hopes to lend a helping hand in next yearB次元官网网址檚 event because the need for volunteers is high.

B次元官网网址淭he amount of food we can collect is limitless and our goal is 10,000 but it would be great to get way more,B次元官网网址� Brown said. B次元官网网址淵outh are going out in the community and want to make a change.B次元官网网址�

Making that change in her own community is important for the 17-year-old who points out all food donations go to the Goldstream Food Bank, which is right in her backyard.

B次元官网网址淭he stats awaken you,B次元官网网址� she said.

B次元官网网址�(We must) realize that it is a problem in Canada and a lot of people donB次元官网网址檛 see it.B次元官网网址�

Interested volunteers can just show up at Belmont schoolB次元官网网址檚 north gym between 5 and 6 p.m., with or without a car. Organizers will pair you with a team and send you on your way.

Food donations can be left on your front door for a volunteer to pick up, or dropped off at the Goldstream Food Bank, 761 Station Ave.