CANORA - Many children look forward to going back to school but for some families it’s a time of worry over whether or not they can even put food on the table, which usually makes this a very busy time of year at Filling the Gap Food Bank in Canora, according to Pastor Mavis Watson, volunteer administrator.
“Parents from lower income families use their money to buy clothing and school items so that their children can go back to school with something new,” said Watson. “But then they often find themselves with no money for groceries.Some schools require certain running shoes and clothing items. That creates the need for more food hampers, some for larger families of five or six people”
Watson said the shelves at Filling the Gap are “fairly full” at the moment, thanks to sizeable donations of non-perishable items in spring and steady ongoing donations to the Filling the Gap bin at the Gateway Co-op Food Store in Canora.
“But our bank account balance is low. There is very little left of the beef donation we received from Co-op last year. We need to fill up the fridge and freezers for fall.”
With most area gardens progressing rapidly, donations of root vegetables such as potatoes and carrots are welcome, since they’ll keep for a while.
“We’ll take a few tomatoes and cucumbers but not too many, because they don’t last too long,” said Watson.
Cash continues to be the most welcome method of donation.
“For instance, since we’re low on meat right now, cash gives me the flexibility to buy meat,” said Watson. “We can also buy the basic fruits such as apples, oranges and bananas, and shop locally as much as possible. We’re always careful to use donated funds wisely.”
In recent months, Watson said she has noticed a lot of new people are moving to Canora, likely even more than previous years.
“It’s cheaper to live here than in a place like Edmonton. But they often end up spending all their money to get here, and then they can’t find work. That creates their need for the food bank.
“That creates a challenge for the Saskatchewan government. It’s good to have people coming to our province, but are we creating enough jobs for them?”
The situation of recent immigrants is creating a whole new challenge.
The movement of more immigrants into smaller rural communities in the Western provinces as well as Western Ontario by the Liberal Federal Government of Canada is information that can be found in a leaked article to Blacklocks Reporter - an independent online news site. It was shared by Blacklocks publisher Holly Doan, former journalist with both CBCNews / CTVNews.
Comments regarding pressure on education programs / social programs in some smaller communities without the resources to facilitate such things as having interpreters in order to teach English are statements found in past news reports from across Canada.
“These national far-ranging problems are ending up on our streets. We’re even getting homeless people sleeping under trees here, and some of them come to the food bank. But where am I going to put the food? I usually end up getting them a voucher for a day or two of takeout meals.”
Watson said others come to the food bank looking for help with buying gas to travel to Yorkton or Regina for medical appointments.
“Some ask for bus tickets, but we don’t have bus service anymore.”
Inflation continues to be a significant challenge for many, including Filling the Gap. Watson said a typical $180 food hamper in 2023 would cost at least $200 this year.
Filling the Gap recently moved to a new Canora location, where Corner2Corver Home Inspections Ltd has provided space in their building.
“A great big thankyou to Lorie at the Dairy Bar in Canora, who generously supported the food bank and welcomed us to use her building for 15-plus years.”
Those in need are permitted to apply to Filling the Gap for assistance up to every six weeks. Watson said they are getting applications from as far away as the Buchanan area. Potential applicants are also referred to her by local community groups such as the RCMP, public health, the town office, the local MLA, Canora Ambulance Care, Canora Pharmacy, as well as concerned local residents.
But the increased need for the food bank is not only being felt in Canora. According to the Food Banks Canada website, in March 2023 there were almost 2 million visits to food banks across Canada, representing a 32 per cent increase compared to March 2022, and a 78.5 per cent increase compared to March 2019, which is the highest year-over-year increase in usage ever reported.
Watson said Filling the Gap is immensely grateful to those who have donated in the past.
“Please continue. The need doesn’t end. I know things are getting tighter, but every little bit helps and it does add up.”
She said people regularly stop her on the street and give her money for the food bank, even as little as $5.
“One grandma here in town gets groceries delivered. She asks for extra soup, spam, toilet paper and cereal. She collects it in a box for a couple months and calls me to pick it up. This is just from her old age pension – that’s important to her.
‘This means that someone has caught the vision and they understand. They remember in the past when times were tough for them. If we could all think like that, just that little bit adds up and it will help.”
Watson said stories like this are one of the most rewarding aspects of her work at Filling the Gap, and encourages everyone to keep this in mind on their next trip to the Gateway Co-op Food Store.
“Throw a can of beans or a box of cereal into the Food Bank bin, maybe from those two-for-one deals. It’ll make all the difference and some child will get a meal, thanks to you.’
Another option is to contribute by purchasing Co-op food gift cards.
Oversight for the operation of Filling the Gap Food Bank is provided by Canora Ministerial Association.
To apply for a food hamper, donate, or for more information, phone: 306-563-5315. Donation cheques can also be mailed to PO Box 957, Canora, SK. S0A 0L0.
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