Mary van Zuuk has lived in Aldergrove for nine years, and compared to other areas, she said she鈥檚 never seen the kind of support that the community offers in times of need.

鈥淎ldergrove continues to warm my heart. The way people contribute, the way people want to help 鈥� they hear of a need and say, 鈥榟ow can I help?鈥欌�� she said.

In the last two years, the number of clients at the Aldergrove Food Bank has increased by 50 per cent. It鈥檚 going to keep increasing as new families register every week, van Zuuk explained, who is the manager of the food bank.

To help meet the demand, the owner of Aldergrove鈥檚 FreshCo Ben Wade has rallied local businesses to hold a raffle for prizes with proceeds going to the local food bank for a second year.

The grand prize is a Free Agent BMX bike donated by Cranky鈥檚 Bike Shop.

鈥淭he nice thing about them is they鈥檙e not super size specific, so if someone picks it, [the bike] will fit them regardless 鈥� or they can always pass it on to someone who is more into that type of riding,鈥� shared Heath MacKenzie, owner of Cranky鈥檚.

The bike has a value of just over $500.

Last year, the winner of the bike shop鈥檚 donated gift certificate opted to give bikes to three refugee families, said MacKenzie.

鈥淥ne of the reasons we want to be involved in these things is because the local community has been hugely supportive of us over the years, and we appreciate that and we want to give back where we can,鈥� he said.

There are almost a dozen prizes to be drawn this year.

FreshCo has donated a $250 gift certificate. Home Hardware in Aldergrove has donated $100 again this year. The Greater Vancouver Zoo is also giving a day鈥檚 family membership as a prize. Gift certificates have also been donated by other local businesses including Glow Girl Beauty Bar, Friendz Apparel, Empirefade Barbershop, Alder Alley, Aldergrove Indian Bistro, and Veronica鈥檚 Perogies. A gift basket and certificate was donated by Healthy Skin and Nails as well.

To enter the draw, shoppers at the Aldergrove FreshCo store get an entry to the raffle per every $2 increment on their grocery bill. For example, an extra $10 will give five chances to win. All the money raised will go straight to the Aldergrove Food Bank.

The raffle starts this Sunday, Dec. 3, and ends on the 17th. Raffle entries can only be made at the Aldergrove location, and winners will be drawn at noon on Dec. 18 at the Aldergrove FreshCo store.

Last year, the raffle raised more than $7,000 for the food bank.

鈥淎ldergrove is an amazing community with a heart for those living with food insecurity. We are so very, very grateful for their ongoing support,鈥� van Zuuk commented.

鈥淏ecause of their generosity, our clients are able to have nutritious, healthy food on their tables this winter.鈥�

People can also donate non-perishable items and home-grown produce to the Aldergrove Food Bank Tuesdays between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Currently, the food bank is in need of cereal, pasta, jam, peanut butter, canned fruit, and large-sized diapers.

FreshCo in Aldergrove is located at 27566 Fraser Hwy, and the food bank is at 27524 Fraser Hwy.

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