With the need in the community at an all-time high, the Barrie Food Bank is looking to collect 100,000 pounds of food and $100,000 by the end of April to meet the demand for help.
The Barrie Food Bank’s Spring Food Drive kicks off this week with organizers reporting that inflation is leading to more families, children and those on fixed incomes in need.
Sharon Palmer, executive director, says last week an 89-year-old man came to the food bank for the first time in his life.
“It is disheartening to see the elderly, those on Ontario Disability Support Payments or Ontario Works, and families with children struggling to make ends meet. More and more often, we are the stopgap that keeps community members from losing their homes.”
More than 3,900 individuals used the food bank in February, with usage up 53 per cent year over year.
Palmer said the need in the community has never been greater.
The food bank is calling for help to re-stock depleted shelves.
“Every contribution makes a difference to someone who is struggling to feed themselves or their family,” the food bank said in a statement.
Organizers say the most needed food items include, Ensure/protein drinks, canned tomatoes, peanut butter, canned fish and meat, soups, canned pasta, macaroni, pasta sauce, school snacks and cereal.
The bank also needs baby formula and personal hygiene products such as shampoo, body wash, toothpaste and menstrual products.
Donations can be made at local grocery stores like Zehrs, Loblaw, Sobeys, No-Frills, Foodland, Metro, Freshco and Food Basics.
Donations can also be made at the Barrie Food Bank at 42 Anne St. S., Unit 2, behind Pioneer Family Pools, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Financial donations are always welcome and can be made at http://www.barriefoodbank.org or mailed to P.O. Box 145, Barrie Ontario L4M 4S9, or dropped off at their Anne Street location. Tax receipts will be provided.