Cowichan Valley hosts 19th annual BC Thanksgiving Food Drive
The 19th Annual BC Thanksgiving Food Drive is returning to the Cowichan Valley from September 13 to 19, 2026. The initiative aims to support local food banks by collecting non-perishable items such as canned goods, pasta, and cereal.
Volunteers will distribute paper donation bags to homes in Duncan, Chemainus, Cowichan Bay, Crofton, Ladysmith, Lake Cowichan, and Mill Bay. Residents are asked to leave filled bags outside their doors by 10 a.m. on September 19 for collection. All donations will remain in the valley to benefit organizations including the Cowichan Valley Basket Society, the Mill Bay and Lake Cowichan food banks, and the Chemainus Harvest House Food Bank.
Henry Wikkerink, executive director of the Cowichan Valley Basket Society, stated that the organization hopes to collect between 10,000 and 11,000 pounds of food, with an estimated value of $40,000. The drive comes amid rising costs for food and housing, which have increased the number of people seeking assistance. Data from Food Banks Canada indicates that 33 per cent of users are children, 43.8 per cent are single individuals, and over 8 per cent are seniors, with one in six users being employed.
Entities
Cowichan Valley · Cowichan Valley Basket Society · Food Banks Canada · Henry Wikkerink
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The 19th Annual BC Thanksgiving Food Drive is returning to the Cowichan Valley. cowichanvalleycitizen.com · ladysmithchronicle.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Approximately 33 per cent of food bank users are children. cowichanvalleycitizen.com · ladysmithchronicle.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] One in six people accessing food banks are employed. cowichanvalleycitizen.com · ladysmithchronicle.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] About 43.8 per cent of food bank users are single individuals. cowichanvalleycitizen.com · ladysmithchronicle.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] More than 8 per cent of food bank users are seniors. cowichanvalleycitizen.com · ladysmithchronicle.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The goal for the food drive is to collect between 10,000 and 11,000 pounds of food, valued at approximately $40,000. cowichanvalleycitizen.com · ladysmithchronicle.com