London Drugs helping new Canadian families

A local business is partnering up with Lethbridge Family Services to help new Canadian families.

London Drugs has launched #Welcoming150, a program and donation drive to support 150 new Canadian families across Western Canada — some of whom came to the country as refugees.

The program supports families identified as still-in-need by LFS.

“We are grateful to people in Lethbridge for their generosity,” said Michelle Gallucci, director for LFS Advancement and Community Relations, in a recent news release.

“On behalf of the families we work with, we would like to thank everyone for truly reinforcing our Canadian values, and showing what it means to be Canadian during this very special time in the country’s history.”

To learn about the families being supported in Lethbridge and to donate items based on their specific needs, people can visit London Drugs located in Centre Village Mall.

New Canadian families are in need of a number of products, according to LFS Immigration Services. These products include:

• Hygiene products, such as soap, shampoo, deodorant, and toothpaste;

• Kitchen wares, such as dishes, cutlery, cooking utensils, and small appliances;

• Linens for the kitchen, bath, and bedroom;

• Food, including snacks, cooking oil, rice, pasta, flour, cereal, and juice;

• Cleaning supplies, including laundry soap, brooms, dust pans, and irons; and

• Family needs, such as books, games or puzzles.

The inspiration behind #Welcoming150 is to provide continued support for new Canadian families who come from unsafe backgrounds.

It also honours the legacy of Tong Louie, whose family acquired London Drugs in 1945 and grew the company to what it is today.

In 1914, Tong Louie was born to an immigrant Chinese family who owned a wholesale food business. Tong Louie and the Louie family have been instrumental in shaping today’s retail industry in Canada.