Local food bank Bouffe Pontiac has made the decision to cancel the in-person portion of their annual food drive for the second year in a row, due to concerns about COVID-19. Director General Kim Laroche said that they had some concerns about the health guidelines for the event which, prior to the pandemic, involved volunteers standing at busy intersections throughout Pontiac and receiving cash and food items from vehicle’s windows.

Laroche said that while the traditional portion would hopefully return next year, they would still be able to provide more than 200 Christmas food baskets to the community:

Last year they received large donations from MRC Pontiac as well as Fondation Choquette-Legault that amounted to what they usually bring in via the food drive. Laroche added that while they had seen an increase in costs for food items recently, they were still in good shape going into the holidays.

For more information about how to donate to Bouffe Pontiac, call 819-648-2550. E-transfers can be sent to bouffepontiac@yahoo.fr and donations of cash or food items can be dropped off at their location at 2 rue Elsie in Campbell’s Bay.