Greater Vancouver Food Bank asks people to reconsider donating Loblaws gift cards

The Greater Vancouver Food Bank wants people to rethink making donations of Loblawsgift cards, despite a social media campaign to pass the cards on to charity.

The Canadian grocery giant began giving out $25 cards recently as a goodwill gesture after admitting to an illegal bread price-fixing scheme.

The food bank says it appreciates the$825 worth of Loblaws gift cards it has received so far, but would like people to consider other ways to help.

"We accept the donated cards, but we have not actively promoted them as donations to the food bank," said a statement from the food bank.

The cards need to be activated online before they can be used, adding an extra organizational step forstaff and volunteers, the statement explained.

Also, those who donate the gift cards won't be able to claim a tax receipt, which they can forcash donations.

Cash is best

The food bank is instead encouraging people to use their gift cards to purchase $25 of nutritious, non-perishable food itemsand place them in donationbins provided in Loblawsstores.

Even more usefulis donatingthe equivalentamount in cash.

"As always, we would prefer donor dollars in lieu so we can leverage those purchasing dollars directly with our industry partners and growers. i.e., for every dollar donated we can buy $3 (or triple) the amount of food," the food bank's statement says.

It also says it can use cash donationsto defray the costs of food transportation.

The Canadian Competition Bureaualleges the bread price-fixing scheme involved five major grocers and two bakeries.

Theyall allegedly agreed to bump up the price of bread byat least $1.50 over the course ofabout 14 years, starting in 2001.