Richmond blood donor clinics will partner with the Richmond Food Bank Society for Canadian Blood Service’s third annual Bleed & Feed.

The program, with Food Banks BC, asks residents to become miracle workers by bringing a non-perishable food item for local food banks when they give blood.

“Unfortunately, the need for blood never takes a holiday and neither does hunger,” said Ed Yee, Director of Donor and Clinic Services for the B.C. and Yukon region of Canadian Blood Services.

“Many families will be celebrating the holidays in hospital this year, while others struggle to have a meal. We hope to rally B.C. residents together and make the season brighter for more local families in need.”

The program hopes to fulfill its goal of 14,000 blood donations this holiday season, while serving the nearly 100,000 people across the province going hungry.

B.C. residents can donate between Dec. 1 and Jan. 2. To book a donation appointment, visit blood.ca or call 1-800-2-DONATE (1-88-236-6283).

Donated food items will be collected in marked Bleed & Feed food collection boxes at the clinics.

Richmond clinics

- Dec. 1, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Dec. 2, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — Steveston Community Centre, 4111 Moncton St.

- Dec. 27, 1 to 8 p.m. — St. Alban’s Anglican Church, 7260 St. Alban’s Rd.

- Dec. 28, 12 to 7 p.m. — St. Paul’s School Gym, 8251 St. Alban’s Rd.

To learn more about your local food bank, visit www.foodbanksbc.com.