The City of St. John’s will no longer be accepting donations for the Community Food Sharing Association at the door.

In years past, food was collected by staff at the door on garbage day as part of a pre-Christmas drive. However, the city has decided to change the model going forward to what they are calling a “blended model” of a monetary donation to the food bank, and the set-up of food donation boxes at city facilities.

Councilor Ian Froude says the rationale behind the change is two-fold.

Donations for the drive have been declining in recent years because of other options at grocery stores and other city facilities. As well, monetary donations are preferred by the association.

Froude says the city will give the association a $15,000 grant this year, which they will have to apply for every year hereafter via the community grant program.