Thousands collected for food bank during K-W Oktoberfest parade

This year'sKitchener-Waterloo OktoberfestThanksgiving Day paradecollected 8,776 lbs of non-perishable food items for TheFood Bank of Waterloo Regionalong the Thanksgiving Day parade route on Weber Street. While$8,552 was collected along the parade route and through online donations.

"Kitchener-WaterlooOktoberfestis a highlight in our community every fall," said WendiCampbell, executive director of The Food Bank of Waterloo Region, in a news release.

She added there are 400,000 meals needed this season. The Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfesthas a goal of raising enough food and funds for 50,000 meals through the Onkel Hans Food Drive, according to The Food Bank's online donation page.

The link to donate online to the food drive will remain open until the last day of the festival on Saturday.