It looks like a mountain of food piled up in Belleville’s Gleaners food bank warehouse.
The large donation is the result of a food drive held by Hastings-Quinte EMS workers two weeks ago.
It’s a contribution the food banks Director of Operations Susanne Quinlan is happy to see.
“There was four skids of food which was 4,069 lbs of food and a donation of $2,000.”
Every year, the food bank helps feed 10,000 adults and over 5,000 children.
Over 4,000 lbs. of food will last about a month at the food bank and it’s desperately needed.
Summer is a low time for donations and the demand on resources peaks at this time of year, says Quinlan.
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“August is our biggest month because of the back-to-school expenses.”
Which means by the time September arrived, the cupboard was close to bare.
Belleville Mayor Taso Christopher and Prince Edward, Hastings M.P.P. Todd Smith rolled up their sleeves to help sort the food.
Smith says food security is a challenge for more than 11 per cent of the region and access is another problem in the largely rural riding.
“Once you get outside the city of Belleville and you’re in rural Prince Edward county and rural Hastings county, transportation becomes a real issue and it makes it difficult to get to the facilities that you need to get to, to get the food that you need.”
Volunteers are also a valuable resource at the food bank, with 100 people needed daily to keep it running.
Dan Brady started donating his time three years ago when his daughter was accumulating volunteer hours for high school.
He decided to stay on.
“It’s the social aspect but it’s also people you know aren’t islands, you’re a member of a community and there are disadvantaged people and it’s nice to be able to help them.”
The Gleaners food bank also supplies clients with non-food items like toothbrushes, toothpaste and baby diapers.
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