Thousands collected for food bank during K-W Oktoberfest parade

This year's  Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest Thanksgiving Day parade collected 8,776 lbs of non-perishable food items for The Food Bank of Waterloo Region along the Thanksgiving Day parade route on Weber Street. While $8,552  was collected along the parade route and through online donations.

"Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest is a highlight in our community every fall," said Wendi Campbell, 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 Oktoberfest has 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.