Kincardine Food Bank shelves fill up just in time to meet increasing demand

By: Liz Dadson October 17, 2015 1522

Kincardine Food Bank shelves fill up just in time to meet increasing demand

Thanks to the generosity of the community, the Kincardine Food Bank shelves have filled up again, just in time to meet the increasing demand leading up to Christmas.

That's the word from co-ordinators Nancy Dawson and Pat Stewart who were on hand Thursday morning to accept a truckload of products, plus gift cards and cash donations, from the Bruce Power Pensioners' Association.

Lee Fuller of the association, said the donations were gathered at the organization's annual general meeting held Oct. 14 at the Davidson Centre in Kincardine. Donations are collected every year and presented alternately to Kincardine and Port Elgin food banks.

This year, the collection reaped 20 milk crates of non-perishable food, plus about $200 in gift cards and $100 in cash.

Stewart said the number of people using the food bank is starting to increase. At the end of September this year, 2,132 people used the food bank, compared to 2,005 at this time last year. So far, this year, 47 new people have used the agency, compared to a total of 85 for all of last year.

"The number will likely increase over the next three months as people get laid off from their seasonal jobs," said Stewart.

Dawson said about 3,000 pounds of food were collected by local schools and community groups, including St. Anthony's School, Ripley-Huron Community School, and Kincardine Minor Hockey, and presented over the Thanksgiving Day weekend.

"That will likely see us through until Christmas," said Dawson, "but it goes fast. We always welcome donations."

Besides food staples, such as peanut butter, processed cheese spread, and school snacks, the food bank welcomes donations of toiletries, hand soap, shampoo, and feminine hygiene products.

Dawson said that not only is the community generous with donations, there is a solid group of volunteers helping out at the food bank which is greatly appreciated.