Food bank helps growing clientele with fundraiser

People can choose to purchase a meal for $10, or for $20 they can take home a handcrafted bowl. There are ceramic bowls donated by the Arts Centre and wood-turned bowls donated by the wood turning guild.

As far as the fundraiser goes, Clark said it will definitely go to good use.

“It’s going to keeping our operations open,” said Clark. “It will go into our general account which will go to paying utilities and things of that nature.”

“It’s fairly small, but it all helps.”

Because of the amount of people they serve, the food bank holds multiple fundraisers a year. Clark said they get funding from a few sources, but it goes to food directly.

“It doesn’t pay the utilities; it doesn’t keep our utilities running or pay the mortgage or anything of that nature,” said Clark. “So we’re left on our own for those types of things.”

“Unfortunately, we’re reliant on the community for that.”

Recently the food bank had to end the Share-a-Meal food service, something they are looking into getting re-established through a partnership. For now, they’re able to direct 100 per cent of their time and resources into sending out food hampers.

Being able to help the community in such a substantial way is crucial, said Clark.

“It’s incredible,” he said. “Over five per cent of the population utilizes our services and that’s well over 2,000 people a month.”

According to Clark, summer is always their busiest time of year. He attributes their increase in patrons with a migration pattern. People come from the north trying to find a better life, whether education or jobwise, and sometimes it doesn’t work out right away, he said.

“You get people that need it once need it twice and then they’re on their feet with a job,” said Clark. “Other people that may be forced onto social services need continued help.”

“There are also a lot of fixed income people that struggle as well,” he said, referring to students and seniors.

The most important thing, according to Clark, is being able to help those in need and knowing that it means a lot to them.

“It lets us know we’re doing what we need to be doing,” he said. “That’s what we’re here for is to kind of plug those gaps when they occur.

asoloducha@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alex_soloducha

by Alex Soloducha

Food bank helps growing clientele with fundraiser

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