A two-day fill-the-ambulance weekend donation drive by Kimz Angels in 91原创 raised about $3,000, but didn鈥檛 collect as much food and other solid goods as Kim Snow, the founder of the non-profit outreach agency, was hoping.
鈥淲e got enough, but not as much as we normally get,鈥� Snow estimated.
She credited an 鈥渁mazing鈥� commitment to match donations made by Focus West logistics, which hosted the event at its warehouse in Walnut Grove, and a fundraising drive by a neighbouring business, The Barley Merchant taproom and restaurant.
鈥淲e wouldn鈥檛 have had as much,鈥� Snow told the 91原创 Advance Times.
鈥淲e wouldn鈥檛 have done as well at all. So there鈥檚 $3,000 that we wouldn鈥檛 have had.鈥�
The Barley Merchant, with Mike Gee from The Seamus Gee Legacy Project, raised more than $2,000, and a trunk full of toys, plus a couple hundred pounds of food.
Individual donations were smaller than previous years, Snow noticed over the weekend, ascribing that to the current economic hard times.
鈥淲e want to thank everybody. Even with the way the economy is, we still have so many kind people who came out and gave 鈥� even though they didn鈥檛 have as much. But they still gave. That means a lot,鈥� Snow commented.
鈥淭hat says a lot about our community.鈥�
READ ALSO: A 91原创 agency that helps the needy is struggling to keep up with demand
This year, with demand increasing, Kimz Angels鈥� Christmas campaign got off to an early start, with donations welcomed at Focus West Logistics in the weeks leading up the two-day event.
Another Kimz Angels donation drive will happen outside the Murrayville IGA at 22259 48th Ave. on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 16 and 17, with the ambulance, Santa, and RCMP on scene from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
鈥淭hat鈥檒l kind of wrap it [the season] up,鈥漇now said.
She expects there will be more grocery items donated by people at the IGA event.
鈥淏ecause they鈥檙e shopping. So they鈥檒l come out [with food].鈥�
READ ALSO: Those needing food and other assistance more than doubled, says 91原创 charity
People who can鈥檛 make it to the drop-off can still contribute by emailing info@kimzangels.com or by phoning 604-838-6579.
Suggested donor items this season include canned food, baby food, dried pasta, cash donations, gift cards, and new and unused toys.
