The Carlyle and District Food Bank has been up and running for 23 years. Being initiated in 1989 through the ministry as it became seen people in southeastern Saskatchewan were in need. It later was turned over to the public and is a Registered Non-Profit Organization within both Saskatchewan and Canada.
The Food Bank based in Carlyle services an area from Stoughton to Lampman, down to Carievale, up to Kipling, Kennedy, and Wawota. It covers a large area and is a way to help many people who may be struggling with economic burdens.
This large area of people in need also brings in many people willing to give to the Food Bank. The Carlyle and District Food Bank also finds help through national donations including the Holiday Train and Kraft fundraisers, though the majority of donations are from those in southeast Saskatchewan.
Carlyle itself was chosen as the main hub because it was situated in a rather central location, but the Carlyle United Church also offered a space, free of rent, to be used. The United Church continues to give them the free space to use.
Currently there are six regular volunteers, though many people help when they are able to. Each month they pack approximately 25 to 30 hampers, while Christmas time puts an added pressure with a need of 80 to 90 hampers. By Christmas people find they are short on many things, especially the holiday specials. Turkeys can be quite expensive and the Food Bank is able to help families have a holiday meal.
The Food Bank is thankful for the giving at Christmastime, as this is often how they sustain themselves throughout the year. The donations to the Food Bank usually decline between the months of January and June, though there are a number of individuals who will bring a bag of groceries each week to the group.
Christmastime is usually when the Food Bank is actively thought about with businesses looking to raise money or find donations of food. This has included Farm Credit Canada, the Post Office, and Home Hardware. Oil companies have also given generously, while the schools often campaign to gather food donations. The RCMP also holds Breakfast with Santa each year during the Dickens Festival where all donations are given to the Food Bank. This year Breakfast with Santa will be held on Dec. 1 between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. in the Carlyle Memorial Hall.
Â鶹ÊÓƵern Plains Co-op has a bin following the check-out counter to acquire donations, while churches are still very much involved.
"It's amazing how it sort of just comes in," Mavis James, Chairperson for the Carlyle and District Food Bank, exclaimed.
Donations can be dropped off at any number of areas in the southeast, at the United Church on the third Wednesday of the month directly to the Food Bank, or through their church.
If wanting to volunteer then you are welcome to join the other volunteers on the third Wednesday of the month at 9 a.m. The one, extremely important, request from the volunteers is for them to be confidential.
This year they will be welcoming donations for Christmas hampers until Dec. 14. The following days will see volunteers pack the hampers and on Dec. 19 they will be handed out as fresh produce is added to them.
If in need of a Christmas hamper it is important to contact one of the following ladies by Dec. 5 to put your name down as fresh produce will need to be ordered. Mavis James: 455-2553, Marg Krenz: 453-6084, Annette LeNouail: 452-3915, or Jaime Brimner: 448-2278. If interested in the Food Bank and looking for more information contact one of the latter mentioned individuals.
If able to give, remember to think about the Food Bank this season; but, also, throughout the year.
