Prince George, B.C. – “Spectacular.”

That’s how Rob Pritchard, station chief with the BC Ambulance Service in Prince George, describes the results of their 10^th annual Red and White Hunger Fight food drive.

“We set a new record for collection of food. We put 343 boxes up for the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Full of non-perishable food items and we also had $2,500 in gift cards that go towards fresh food as well.”

Paramedics stationed outside Save-On-Foods over the weekend – photo 250News

This year’s giant haul was the result of two weekend’s work – this weekend paramedics were stationed outside the Save-On-Foods locations in the Hart and College Heights – last weekend at the Spruceland and Parkwood locations.

Pritchard attributes this year’s success to their prime location and of course to the generosity of Prince George residents.

“Prince George residents are just so supportive of things like this, it amazes me. Our community continues to give to all these worthy causes – they never fail.”

He adds they continue to hold the food drive because “the need is there.”

“It’s the unfortunate truth, I wish there wasn’t a need but we see it first hand. We go into soup kitchens and see people in difficult times and so it’s just a component of health people don’t think of,” says Pritchard.

“You provide a good nourishing meal and that’s the foundation for health. And at the end of the day, it’s about caring for our citizens.”