Those who run the Friends In Need Food Bank are appealing to the public for donations as lineups get longer with people in need.
“We have never seen numbers like this at all,” said executive director Mary Robson, noting they are now serving more than 100 people a day. “How can you serve 100 people in our small footprint within three hours,” she asked.
A lot of the new registrations are from newcomers to the country, so the food bank is trying to get more diverse and ethnic foods, and dealing with language barriers. Robson said they are launching an urgent fundraising campaign through June and July.
During the eight week, ‘Feeding the Future: Community Support Campaign’ Robson will be sharing stories of those impacted by their services, she will be highlighting the importance of community support, and showcasing the tangible impact of every donation.
These are the slowest months for donations to the charity. Funds raised will purchase resh produce and proteins to ensure balanced diets; to supply essential non-food items like toiletries and hygiene products; and to support the operational costs of the food bank to keep it running efficiently.
Robson said food banks all over the country are facing the same problems.
“People are just not prepared for the cost of living when they are moving to Canada,” she said.
Robson said her group is managing to get by with the food they currently have on the shelves. However, if they hit any kind of glitch it will dry up pretty quickly.
If they didn’t have the perishable food program operating that they started five years ago, they would be “hooped,” she added.
“We are able to provide that fresh product, but it is at a cost,” she said, because they have to pick up the food, sort it, and send it to the food bank for the clients.
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Robson noted there are 33 per cent of their registered clients are youth and children aged 18 and 27 per cent of their clients are seniors, aged 55 and up.
Monetary donations is what they need the most right now, so they can purchase foods that can’t get from other resources.
They are also looking for dry, unprocessed beans and lentils – not canned. And they are in need of canned proteins, meats, pasta, rice, the staples that people can use.
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Baby products like diapers and formula are in demand.
Robson added that it’s not just people living in poverty who use the food bank, it’s families who are not considered to be in poverty, but are just not able to make ends meet.
“We are seeing more people than ever before turning to us for support,” she said. “Our goal is to make sure no one in our community goes hungry. Every donation makes a difference and helps us provide nutritious food to those in need.”
To donate go to: www.friendsneedfood.com/donate, or mail a cheque to: PO Box 393, Maple Ridge, BC, V2X 8K9. Or you can drop donations off at the warehouse at unit 8, 22726 Dewdney Trunk Road, Maple Ridge.
If you or someone you know needs help, please visit their website for more information or contact the food bank at 604-466-3663, ext. 203.