UNITY - Traditionally, summer months and the first number of weeks in a new year, have seen local food banks inventories dwindle. However, food bank co-ordinators in the communities of Luseland, Kerrobert, Wilkie and Unity maintain their gratefulness for their community coming through with donations where and when needed.
Kerrobert Food Bank serves Kerrobert and Dodsland and, at times, Major. An operating committee of six say they are blessed as the Kerrobert United Church gives them free use of a room, along with a deep freeze and they are not required to contribute to utilities at this location, so this greatly benefits this non-profit organization.
A food bank spokesperson told the Press-Herald, “Usage is definitely up, and we serve a combination of families with children as well as singles.”
KFB says they are always thankful for the school helping out with designated product drives such as the one upcoming for Halloween. As well, they have been thankful for monetary donations. Overall, they say needs are being met
The Luseland Food Bank organization consists of a committee of five and, while they had put out a plea at the end of September for more inventory, they were pleased with the response.
A LFD spokesperson said, “We know our community will come forward when needed.”
Presently, donations can be left at both the Luseland food store and the Luseland Credit Union and both places will collect monetary donations if that is what is preferred.
In Unity, Tomi Watt, longtime food bank volunteer, says while they were down in supplies near Thanksgiving, they had money in place from donations to purchase what was needed.
Watt also adds, “We received a great supply of donated items from Red Apple’s Thanksgiving collection as well as $453 in monetary donations that were left at this store were used to also purchase food items from this business resulting in four carts full of supplies being put into the food bank’s inventory.”
The UFB also says they have recently received a substantial personal donation as well as $1,290 from North West Terminal. The NWT purchased a 4-H animal and used it for burgers at their anniversary event with leftover meat sold to staff resulting in the donation.
Watt also says Unity Credit Union is collecting from their staff and the high school will be undertaking the We Scare Hunger campaign again for the food bank. UCHS current vegetable fundraiser will also benefit the local food bank as purchasers have the option to purchase a package directly for this local food bank.
Wilkie Food Bank committee member Andria Gutting says, “People can donate any time to us as WFB runs by monetary donations only. Donations can be sent to Box 295, Wilkie or get hold of any food bank committee member.”
Gutting also adds, “We have three new members and are in the process of changing the contacts so folks can look for new posters around Wilkie.”
Any of the WFB members can accept, under the strictest confidence, names that would benefit from this organization.
Food banks across the province remind donors to consider so called “splurge” items that strict budget households cannot easily afford such as toilet tissue, hygiene products, dish soap, cooking oil, condiments like ketchup and ground coffee. Cheese spread, soup crackers and peanut butter are also welcome items not always available in their inventories.
