November 26, 2025
Peninsula Firefighters Christmas Food Drive returns Saturday, December 13th
Saanich Peninsula, BC
The annual Peninsula Firefighters Christmas Food Drive is returning on Saturday, December 13, 2025 to support community members who rely on the Saanich Peninsula Lions Food Bank to supplement their food needs.
This year’s Christmas Food Drive will involve a blend of traditional neighbourhood drive throughs, along with drop-off stations set up at local fire halls.
Donations are needed now more than ever as Saanich Peninsula Lions Food Bank has experienced a 30 per cent increase in the number of people needing help to feed themselves and their families over the past year.
“A lot of the new faces we are seeing are seniors who have lost a spouse and are now struggling to get by on one income,” said Bev Elder, Executive Director of the Saanich Peninsula Lions Food Bank. “This food drive makes a big difference in our ability to serve the growing number of community members who turn to us. We so appreciate the way Peninsula residents take care of their neighbours in this way, along with local grocery stores that help us stretch each donated dollar further.”
“As much as I look forward to this event each year, it is a reminder of how many people in our community need a helping hand to feed their families. I hope those who are able, will support our 2025 effort,” said food drive coordinator Rick Toogood of the Sidney Fire Department.
“Food items and personal hygiene products are in great need right now. Every donation helps our neighbours at this critical time of year,” said food drive coordinator John Inoke of the Central Saanich Fire Department.
“The food drive represents the start of the Christmas Season. At the North Saanich Fire Department, our motto is ‘Our family helping your family’. With our department’s commitment to the food drive each year, we hope to honour that statement. We understand that the need at the Food Bank is greater than ever so we hope the residents of the Saanich Peninsula can help us fill our sleigh with food and money,” said food drive coordinator Paul Schwagly of the North Saanich Fire Department.
Cash donations are gratefully accepted, as well as non-perishable food items. Charitable receipts can be issued for donations over $25.
Donation Opportunities:
Sidney
- Neighbourhood Drive Throughs in neighbourhoods SOUTH of Beacon Avenue on December 13th, 12pm – 6pm.
- Drive-through donation in the back parking lot of the Community Safety Building can be made on December 13th from 12pm – 6pm.
- Drop offs can be made at the Sidney Community Safety Building until December 13th from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday.
Central Saanich
- Neighbourhood Drive Throughs in Brentwood Bay and Saanichton on December 13th, 10am – 2pm.
- Drop offs can be made at the Central Saanich Fire Station #1 (1512 Keating Cross Road) and Central Saanich Municipal Hall from December 8th – 12th from 8:30am – 4:30pm.
North Saanich:
- Neighbourhood Drive Through Dean Park and Eaglehurst area on December 13th, 1:30pm – 3:30pm.
- Drop offs can be made at the North Saanich Fire Hall #1 (986 Wain Road) and Hall #2 (1665 McTavish Road) until December 13th, 8:30am – 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.
How to Participate:
To take part in the neighbourhood drive-through on December 13th, simply bring your donation to a firefighter, or one of their volunteering family members, when they pass by your home. You can also leave a bag of donated items on your doorstep or curbside for pickup. For a list of the most-needed items, visit the ‘12 Days of Christmas Giving’ on Saanich Peninsula Lions Food Bank website.
Note: It is important to check that any donated goods will not expire within the next 6 months.