Christmas can be an exciting time of year for people. But it doesn鈥檛 always bring joy and good cheer to everyone in our community. To some, it brings worry and stress as they know that there will be more demands on their limited income thus the need for assistance from the local food bank.
The Unity Food Bank is a volunteer organization. The group tells us that, on average, they distribute 1,000 pounds of food per month. Soups and pastas are a common item on their shelf but they know that canned fruits and vegetables don鈥檛 last long in their supply, but will be purchased by the food bank when the need arises. They also make sure there is plenty of pasta sauce and pasta in their inventory.
The Food bank organization is thankful for a local grocerer who keeps them well supplied with bread, buns, pastries etc. They are also grateful for the multiple donations of fresh garden produce given this year.
As of fall of 2018, the Unity FoodBank says they were getting low in some inventory making the 2,000 pound-plus donation from the UCHS We Scare Hunger program a big help to increase their supplies. The organization was getting low on cereals, which they do not purchase. Other items that often don鈥檛 get considered when it comes to food bank donations are coffee, paper products and hygiene items. The Nov. 1 dual truck load delivery from UCHS, as well as the St. Peter鈥檚 and UPS school collections, completed over Halloween can keep the food bank supplied for up to two months.
UFB volunteer Tomi Watt says, 鈥淗aving community groups organize a drive, such as the We Scare Hunger initiative, means the world to us. We could not support our clients to the extent that we do without a lot of community help.鈥�
Watt goes on to say, 鈥淲hile these donations require a lot of sorting work, it is very worthwhile work for them. Some of the common items go in tubs or boxes by product, as shelf space is limited, therefore, it is easy to find when requests come in.鈥�
The UFB has five volunteers with three of those volunteers looking after managing the majority of food handling, while another volunteer keeps busy ensure the finances are in order.
The year 2018 has been steady, with April being a month of high demand, while October was relatively low. But, with that being said, because the supply and demand is never known the need is always there for community support.
Residents who wish to make donations to the Unity Food bank have several options. Both food stores in Unity accept product donations that are picked up by food bank volunteers on a regular basis. Or, donations of cash or product can be delivered to the Unity Community Resource Centre during regular business hours; which are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In a question thrown out to a variety of residents inquiring as to their knowledge and/or support of the Unity Food Bank needs, some respond saying they make the food bank part of their regular monthly giving, while others say they use the occasions of special sales at their food stores to pick something up on sale specifically for food bank purposes. One family responded saying they make sure when they are Christmas shopping they shop for the food bank and the Secret Santa initiative to show their children the importance of giving back.
