Mid August, think of supporting your Food Bank

I am a big supporter of our local food bank and I know that as summer heats up, the food bank in my community and I suspect in your community is running low. I talked to our local food bank director and was told that right now supplies from the winter months are now so depleted that the number of grocery items in small, medium and large hampers may have to be reduced.

In many communities across Canada, giving to the food bank is a tradition during the Christmas season but drops off when summer approaches. Our food bank is starting a summer food campaign — which begins Friday — and the hope is that people will remember to drop off an extra item at the grocery store or collect a box of food at their office, club or other location. In many community’s food banks will be starting their own food drives.

One of the goals of this summer campaign is to encourage people to choose healthier options to give to the food bank.

While the number of food bank users is holding steady, the cost of food and housing means there are always people who need a hand. I encourage you to be generous to the food bank before heading away for their holiday.

With a reminder and some encouragement, the community will come through to help our neighbours.

Here is a list of what is needed in our food bank, I suspect it is similar in your community.

PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL FOOD BANK 

•      canned fruits and vegetables

•      canned meats and fish

•      cooking oil

•      juice (no sugar added)

•      lentils and beans (canned or dried)

•      rice

•      tomato sauce and paste

•      pasta sauce

•      whole grain pasta

•      gluten-free items

•      flour

•      peanut butter

•      Ensure or Glucerna (vanilla flavour)

•      diapers (sizes 4 and 5)