More than 60,000 pounds of donations collected in recent food drive
- EFN Staff | May 11, 2015
More than 500 volunteers hit the streets on in eary May to collect donations for the Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre, collecting a total of 62,000 pounds of food!
Deborah Hamp, Director of Operations & Engagement for the Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre, is pleased by the donations that poured into the food bank warehouse. Although the weight of donations is down from last year’s total of 75,000 pounds, Hamp notes the donations are both high-quality and nutritious:
“Our community is increasingly aware about what types of food offer good nutritional value. We were thrilled to receive cans of lentils and beans, salmon, tuna, peanut butter and whole wheat pasta and sauce. We are grateful to all who took the time to make a special trip to their grocery store.”
Whether donating or volunteering, or providing in kind support to make the food drive happen, Saskatoon citizens came out in droves to show their support for their friends and neighbours struggling to make ends meet:
“Our food drive is a major undertaking and we could not do it without the support of so many who roll up their sleeves and pitch in," says Hamp. "A heartfelt thank-you goes out to organizers Brendon Gibson and Robin Bellamy representing the Churches of Saskatoon, volunteers, media sponsors RAWLCO radio, grocery bag sponsor SIGA, and Rosenau, AERO, Purolator, and Peterbilt who donated trucks, drivers and trailers.”
The food bank is facing a sharp increase in usage over the last year, and is now seeing more than 15,000 people per month. Hamp notes that almost half of the people relying on the food bank are children. The summer months can be particularly difficult as families struggle to get by without the support of school breakfast and lunch programs.
The food bank is asking the public to continue the momentum of the City Wide Food Drive by continuing to donate this week for a national initiative called Every Plate Full. This is a national campaign designed to address the urgent need food banks in Canada experience during the summer months. For more information please visit www.everyplatefull.ca or follow #everyplatefull on social media.
The public can donate non-perishable food anytime by using the bins at their local grocery stores or bringing food, clothing, and household supplies to the Food Bank at 202 Ave. C South. People can also donate online at www.saskatoonfoodbank.org.
Although volunteers try their best, there are many houses to cover and some bags may be missed. The public is asked to please bring their bags to drop off in the bin provided at their local grocery store or directly to the food bank at 202 Avenue C South.
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