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B.C. charity grateful for bank support as postal strike disrupts donation stream

Program that feeds more than 6,000 kids across B.C. each weekend
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With a potential loss in donations during the Canada Post stsrike, Backpack Buddies is leaning on TD Canada Trust and online donations to feed more than 6,000 kids in the province. (Courtesy of Backpackbuddies.ca)

A program that feeds more than 6,000 kids across B.C., with offices in Vancouver and Victoria, is lamenting the lack of mail while celebrating a bank donation.

For Backpack Buddies, a Vancouver-based non-profit dedicated to providing food for children every weekend, the Canada Post strike couldn’t have come at a worse time. The charity depends on final donations of the year to offset rising costs of living and feeding the families they serve.

“Right now, one in five children in B.C. are expected to experience hunger this season. While many people are preparing for the holidays, too many kids are wondering if they’ll have enough to eat,” co-founder Joanne Griffiths said in a news release. “The holiday season is traditionally the biggest giving time of year for us, with nearly half our annual donations coming in November and December.”

Backpack Buddies relies heavily on donations for its initiative that ensures children who rely on school meal programs during the week have enough to eat when school is not in session. Each week, the organization delivers bags filled with kid-friendly food to kids across the province, including remote Indigenous communities such as Kitasoo, Wuikinuxv, Klahoose, and Bella Bella.

Like many charities, the Canada Post strike is impacting donations.

“With the strike in place, we’re already seeing a drop in donations that are critical to supporting our efforts. I'm used to opening the mail and seeing envelopes come in every day. It's nerve-wracking to see that empty mailbox. This is especially concerning as we have a growing waitlist of children who need our help,” Griffiths said.

The need is particularly urgent this year, as rising costs of living – including transportation prices and rent – have put more pressure on families, making it even harder for parents to provide food for their children. With a waitlist of 2,000 young people, the organization is celebrating a partnership with TD Bank which is doubling impact of donations – matching up to $50,000.

“We can’t erase the waitlist overnight, but right now we are doing everything we can to ensure that children don’t go hungry, and that means rallying our incredible community to help us reach our fundraising target,” Griffiths said. “Every donation, whether it’s $25 or more for a weekend food bag, makes a huge difference. I’ve seen the generosity of our kind community before, and I’m hopeful we can get everyone behind this. Right now, the best way for supporters to help us is by making a donation online.”

Visit for details or to donate.

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About the Author: Greater Victoria News Staff

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