BC Liquor Stores across the province, including Fort St. John, will be collecting donations for the people in Pakistan affected by the massing flooding early last month.

“We are taking donations from the public in response to helping the people in Pakistan,” said Kendra Kary, assistant manager of the Fort St. John BC Liquor Store.

Customers can make donations of $2 or $5 – or multiples thereof – at any checkout next time they are stocking up on beer or wine, right up until Sept. 29.

Canadian Red Cross Pakistani Relief efforts will be the recipient of the donations.

“Our staff responds to it really well. It is just like our Teddy Bear campaign at Christmas time, everybody is onboard and does the best job that they can,” Kary added.

Monsoon rains affected the country at the beginning of August, causing flash flooding with extensive damage and killing more than 1,500 people. More than 3 million people have been affected and more rain is in the forecast in days to come.

The Canadian Red Cross is gearing up to provide relief through medical support, clean water, food and shelter.

Previous donation campaigns by BC Liquor Stores included the BC Wildfires of 2003, the Tsunami of 2004/05, Hurricane Katrina and the earthquake in Haiti earlier this year.

If tax receipts are required, donations should be made directly to the Canadian Red Cross, not as part of the liquor store campaign.

“This is part of our social responsibility, we just like to help out with places or people that need relief,” Kary said.