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The Newfoundland and Labra­dor Community Food Sharing Association is short of its goal by 60,000 pounds as it heads into the Christmas season.

Part of the problem stems from the food bank’s reliance on sources of donations that are non-existent or surprisingly unfruitful this year.

For example, Canada Post’s annual food drive will not be happening this year because of a lack of interest from volunteers from their employees, retirees, and union folk, who found the drive too time-consuming and taxing an affair for their volunteers.

Likewise, this year’s Santa Claus Parade was a little deflated: relative to other years, the number of floats to appear in the annual St. John’s Christmas Parade was down.

On the surface, this meant a more lacklustre experience for kids along the street, but it was mostly a shame because the parade usually collects around 20,000 pounds of food, and $20,000 for the food bank.

To remedy to situation, The City of St. John’s is partnering with the Community Food Sharing Association during the week of December 1-5, to collect non-perishable food items.

“With the holiday season upon us, it is important that we all do our part to help support the community food bank,” says mayor Dennis O’Keefe

In an effort to make donating simple and convenient for residents, the City will be sending staff to collect door-to-door, during the first week of December.

Residents interested in contributing non-perishable food items to the food bank are encouraged to place the items in a bag, marked with an “F” for food, on the front door handle or front step of their home on the designated day for their ward.

City staff will collect items from residents, ward by ward, beginning on December 1 at 9 a.m., until approximately 3 p.m. daily. The schedule is as follows:

Monday, Dec. 1 – Ward 1
Tuesday, Dec. 2 – Ward 2
Wednesday, Dec. 3 – Ward 3
Thursday, Dec. 4 – Ward 4
Friday, Dec. 5 – Ward 5

To find your Ward: http://www.stjohns.ca/city-hall/about-city-hall/finding-your-ward/ward-lookup