The requests coming to food banks across the county have never been higher – and neither has the community’s generosity as people are digging deep to help those who need it.
The Wellington Advertiser did a survey of food banks across the county in the run-up to the Christmas season and found the bad economy has more and more people coming to the food bank.
Fred Aleksandrowicz noted at the grand opening of the new food bank in Fergus last week he is pleased his organization can allow people to shop like they would in a store and take what they need, which affords the clients some dignity.
At the same time, demand is high. Shopping days are scheduled so people can come in alone to select goods they need, but there are now so many people there is a lineup out the door.
Aleksandrowicz added it is tear-inducing to hear clients say they will leave certain items for others who need it more.
“We have a very generous community,” said food bank president Jackie Andrews.
The demand for Christmas hampers also skyrocketed to nearly double that of last year.
Aleksandrowicz said there will likely be close to 300 families being helped. He added local churches are also working hard to help meet demand, but in some cases they are nearly overwhelmed.
The tale of increasing demand and a generous community is playing out in other areas, too.
“It just gradually increased” said Tammy Kuper, who works with the Drayton area food bank. She added volunteers will be help to provide over two dozen food hampers for Christmas.
Local needs include rice, canned vegetables and fruit, plus jello and puddings.
In Mount Forest, Marg Rapp said the need has climbed by about 50 per cent. Last October, there were 60 clients. This year, there are 97. November was even worse; the number of clients went from 68 in 2008 to 152 in 2009.
But, Rapp said, “Thanks to a generous community, we’re well stocked.” She added the Mount Forest food bank can use soup, juice, peanut butter, fruit and rice.
In Arthur, demand is climbing. Marilyn Theurer said the food bank there added six families this year.
“Their EI is gone and they’re looking for food,” she said.
The food bank can use donations of canned vegetables, salmon, tuna, beans, Kraft dinner, pasta sauce, coffee and tea.
The Christmas hampers are being covered by the local Lions Club, Theurer said. That program and registry is run out of the Wellington Learning Centre.
Marion Agla, of the Clifford food bank in Minto, said “It’s increased. There’s more people.”
She said it is not just those on social assistance who need help. People earning minimum wage are struggling and “if something comes up … ”
The number of hampers prepared in the community for Christmas is rising from 18 to 25 this year. As for donations, “We accept everything.”
Agla added the food bank is “trying a toy drive” to ensure younger children receive gifts at Christmas, and she noted there are problems finding gifts for teenagers.
“We try to give them a fair amount,” she said.
Agla noted Minto council paid the $1,100 fee that allows the food banks in Clifford, Palmerston and Harriston to visit the K-W Food Depot, where it can collect large amounts of food.
Organizations from Clifford, Palmerston and Harriston can go their once a month.
But, “Even Kitchener doesn’t have as much this year,” said Agla.
She added a few years ago, Clifford became involved with the University of Guelph Meal Exchange, whereby university students donate food.
But, she said, when it delivered this year it was “not as much as other years,” because of the high demand.
Agla said the food banks have petitioned the county for up to $2,000 available to not-for-profit groups, to help meet demands.
Gillian Riseborough, from East Wellington Community Services, took her big pick-up truck to the K-W Food Depot recently, and she said she received over 2,000 pounds of food, and the truck wobbled on the way home.
Demand has also increased in Erin and Guelph-Eramosa, where EWCS operates.
“We’re up over 30%,” said Riseborough.
Last year in Erin, there were 33 families using the food bank. This year that number hit 51, and, “That’s just one month.”
Risborough noted people in the community have been very generous and this Christmas, all the families in need already have sponsors for the Christmas hampers.
All of the food bank organizers said they can use a large amounts of non-perishable foods, but they also have a huge need for cash.
That money is used to purchase everything from milk and margarine to hams and turkeys for Christmas hampers. It also buys such things as soap, toiletries and non-perishable dry goods.
