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Fraser Valley Auto Mall food bank drive raises more than $27K in Abbotsford

Annual event had to be adapted due to COVID-19 pandemic
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From left are Joe Fauchon, representing Save-On-Foods stores in Abbotsford; Roy Ferraro, retired Abbotsford firefighter; Dave Murray of the Archway Food Bank; Brent Murdoch, district chief POC Abbotsford firefighters; Steve Magown, manager of the Fraser Valley Auto Mall; Mike McDonald, president of the Fraser Valley Auto Mall Association; Don Barbeau from Black Press; and Ron Hall, assistant fire chief. (John Morrow/Abbotsford News)

The Fraser Valley Auto Mall food bank drive concluded its activities with a donation of $27,250 on Saturday, Dec. 19.

The campaign involved the 10 Fraser Valley Auto Mall dealers, the three Abbotsford Save-On-Foods locations, and Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service.

The groups presented the funds – which included almost $5,700 from Abbotsford fire halls 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 – on Saturday, Dec. 19.

The cheque presentation was done in place of the annual Fraser Valley Auto Mall food drive. That event normally ends with a convoy of vehicles travelling from the auto mall to the food bank to deliver food and cash donations.

Last year’s event delivered more than $15,000 in groceries and gifts to the food bank.

But this year, which was the food drive’s 14th anniversary, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the event from being held in the same way.

RELATED: Fraser Valley Auto Mall concludes annual food drive with convoy

Normally, the public is asked to drop off their donations at participating dealerships in the auto mall and at Save-On-Foods, while firefighters collect donations from local homes.

People are also normally invited to bring their donations to the auto mall prior to the convoy leaving for the food bank.

This year, an information package about this year’s process was hand-delivered instead, and cash donations were collected.

The food bank serves as the Christmas Bureau at this time of year, providing food hampers and gifts for families and seniors.

RELATED: SLIDESHOW: The 2019 Fraser Valley Auto Mall food drive and convoy



Vikki Hopes

About the Author: Vikki Hopes

I have been a journalist for almost 40 years, and have been at the Abbotsford News since 1991.
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