London Drugs is stepping up to help Girl Guides of Canada sell thousands of boxes of cookies that the organization needs to sell to support ongoing programs in B.C.
As of Wednesday, March 25, residents of the Lower Mainland will begin to see Girl Guide cookies in London Drugs stores. In the days to come, the cookies will be available at London Drugs' 82 stores across Western Canada. Customers may also purchase them online.
"Since 1927, Girl Guides have been going door-to-door selling cookies to support our wide range of programs for girls and young women in our communities,” said Diamond Isinger, provincial commissioner for BC, Girl Guides of Canada.
All sales of the cookies will go directly to Girl Guides of Canada; London Drugs is simply providing a safe distribution network.
"Most families have had connections to Girl Guides at some point in their lives." said Clint Mahlman, London Drugs president and chief operating officer. “And certainly, all Canadians have enjoyed Girl Guide cookies and supporting their important programs. During this time of great change and chaos thrown into how businesses, non-profits, on how all of us work and live, if we can find new ways to support each other, then this is a bright light during a time that is shrouded in grey."
Isinger told Vancouver Is Awesome that Girl Guides groups have also been having meetings online.
"Lots of groups have been meeting virtually. We've had volunteers hosting virtual campfires where girls can sing songs and share," she says.
In light of COVID-19, Isinger notes that the social distancing practices may mean that group will have to explore other ways to continue their meetings and develop further plans. Until then, individual groups are encouraged to make their own arrangements.
London Drugs has picked up more than 1000 cases (12,000 boxes) of cookies that will be available as of the afternoon of March 25 at all London Drugs stores in the lower mainland. Following that, London Drugs will be working with the Girl Guides of Canada to find routes from other hubs and warehouses, to get these cookies distributed to Canadians, across the country.
Girl Guides sell over six million boxes of cookies each year and have been selling cookies since 1927. For more information visit Girl Guides online and follow @girlguidesofcanada on Instagram or @girlguidesofcan on Twitter.
