Cram the Cruiser among events this weekend to fill food bank shelves

LAKE COUNTRY — This weekend is the time to donate food and other items to local food banks, as they prepare for the Christmas season.

Lake Country Mounties are hosting the annual Cram the Cruiser event today in support of the Lake Country Food Bank.

The event will take place in the parking lot of Save on Foods in Lake Country between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Officers will be collecting non-perishable food items and cash donations for the food bank.

Personal hygiene products and toys for children are also accepted.

Since its inception six years ago, Cram the Cruiser has collected 10,399 pounds of donated items and more than $20,720 in cash donations.

Anyone who donates to the Cram the Cruiser event will be entered to win prizes, including a WestJet flight voucher for a round-trip flight for two.

Around 900 people rely on the Lake Country Food Bank, about double this time last year, said Joy Haxton, manager of the food bank.

On Monday, firefighters with the Lake Country Volunteer Fire Department will also be going door to door collecting food donations.

West Kelowna firefighters will be going door to door to collect donations on Tuesday and Wednesday. They’re also accepting donations at the Westbank and Lakeview Heights fire halls.

BC Transit is hosting the Stuff the Bus food drive this weekend at Real Canadian Superstore locations in Kelowna and West Kelowna.

Buses will be on site at both locations from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Donations will go to the Kelowna and West Kelowna food banks.