To ensure that every family in London sits down with a big plate of food during Thanksgiving dinner, the London Food Bank has brought back their Thanksgiving Food Drive for the 31st time.
Jane Roy, one of the co-executive directors, tells 980 CFPL the food bank hasn’t got a goal in mind for this year’s fundraiser, but asks for Londoners to donate as much as they can.
“Last year, we received just under 68,000 pounds of food,” Roy said.
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“If we get less, that’s great; if we get more, that’s great. We just ask for people to donate whatever they can.”
So what should Londoners donate?
Roy says non-perishable food items are always greatly appreciated, but toiletries, feminine products, cooking utensils and tools are always welcome, too.
For those with a garden, donating a part of your harvest is also greatly appreciated.
The London Food Bank supports 3,300 families a year — roughly 9,000 individuals.
For Roy, food drives such as this one are bittersweet.
Co-executive director Glen Pearson tells 980 CFPL the number of seniors relying on the food bank has doubled in the last five years.
“In Londoner’s minds, poverty is now a regular part of their awareness of their community.”
When the Thanksgiving Drive first happened 30 years ago, it was mostly children who were in poverty, according to Pearson.
“Now it’s these seniors that are in poverty… that’s what poverty has done, is run the gamut.”
In addition to the London Food Bank, donations collected during the drive will also support other local organizations including ANOVA, Meals on Wheels, the Salvation Army, and Mission Services.
The Thanksgiving Food Drive runs for 10 days from Friday Oct. 5 to Thanksgiving Monday, Oct. 14.
Donations can be dropped off at grocery stores and fire halls across London.
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