A million dollar contribution to Saskatchewan's food banks by PotashCorp is being welcomed by food banks all across the province, including the Battlefords.
The Battlefords District Food and Resource Centre is receiving $67,045 of that total, the third-highest amount in the province behind Saskatoon and Regina.
"It was a surprising gift and something well appreciated, both here in the Battlefords and everywhere in the province," said Bill Hall, executive director of both the Battlefords food bank and Food Bank Saskatchewan.
Hall expects his food bank to receive the funds this week. He says the contribution by PotashCorp will enable his organization to do a number of things they have wanted to do for a long time, especially "providing more nutritious foods for our clients - fresh fruits and vegetables." Hall also says more dairy products could be provided as well.
"It'll just add to what the community gives us," said Hall.
Hall admits that the food bank is sometimes "stretched to the limit" as far as storing all the food items. The local food bank wants to use the new money to increase its capacity to keep its food fresh. Hall says the organization wants to install some refrigeration.
As well, they are looking to pay down the mortgage on their current 101st location, one of their major expenses, Hall said. That will allow the food bank to keep its doors open, he said.
The money from Potash Corp will be distributed among 19 food banks around the province. PotashCorp CEO Bill Doyle stressed the importance of food, saying "when we help out neighbours meet their basic food needs, we feed hope, change and the opportunity to improve their lives."
Statistics from March 2010 show a continued need for food bank services. More than 22,600 used food banks during that month, an increase of 20 percent from the same month in 2009.
Despite the relative prosperity in the province these days, Hall notes there continues to be a need for the food bank to provide a resource to the community. "Certainly it's going to be a big help for us," Hall said of the donation.
