The Salvation Army food bank has seen a fourfold increase in users each month and is reaching out to the community for help to make it through to the Christmas season.
Last year, the food bank served 60 people per month; this year they are serving 240 to 260 people per month.
“While we still get a certain amount of food from food boxes and donations from around the community, it is not enough to sustain our shelves until Christmas,” said Major Darren Wiseman, Pastor and Community Ministries Officer at The Salvation Army Huntsville Community Church.
Although the increase in usage is staggering, Wiseman attributes it less to an increase in need and more to awareness about the Salvation Army’s shift to including fresh food options as often as possible.
“I think word is getting out that we have changed the way we are doing things,” says Wiseman. “We now help people every four weeks instead of every six, plus we are now offering some kind of frozen meat product where before it was just canned meats. We are giving out fresh milk and fresh eggs, we give a loaf of bread to everyone that comes in.” Frozen vegetables are included too, and within the next year Wiseman hopes to add a fresh produce option.
The increased focus on fresh foods comes with help from the Ontario Association of Food Banks, of which the local Salvation Army food bank is a member, to “help keep our individuals, families and children healthy by promoting healthy eating options whenever possible.”
With more people using its food bank, the Salvation Army has been spending more to ensure people have the staples they need, but still the staff and volunteers have watched empty space on the shelves start to increase to the point that they are concerned they will run out before Christmas food drives begin.
“The time between September and December, that’s when we really start to get down and this year we are down a lot,” said Wiseman. “We are getting low and could really use some help.”
Monetary donations are always welcomed, as are volunteers. “This year we have spent a lot more money than normal to keep our food bank going and we’re starting to run out of funds,” said Wiseman. “And we are always looking for volunteers because of the amount of work that needs to be done.”
The nonperishable items the food bank needs most are:
- Pasta sauce
- Peanut butter
- Jam
- Kraft Dinner
- Tuna, salmon, canned meat
- Canned soup
- Canned chili / stews
- Chunky / Habitant soups
- Canned vegetables
- Pork & beans
- Canned spaghetti
- Canned tomatoes
They can be dropped in the donation boxes at Bullock’s Independent (formerly Robinson’s Independent) and FreshCo, at the Salvation Army at 4 Mary Street East, or at the Salvation Army Thrift Store at the corner of King William and Highway 60.
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