Food bank not just food anymore
By Kyra Hoggan
The Castlegar and District Community Harvest Food Bank is about more than just food – in fact, food bank volunteers are currently finding their days filled with school supplies.
Food bank coordinator Deb McIntosh said the venue is kind of a one-stop shop for local families in need, as they try to help whomever they can; however they can.
“It’s not just about food – it’s about addressing needs in our community,” she said. “Sometimes that means food, other times it means school supplies, or work boots, or whatever.”
A recent campaign to increase donations has ensured the food bank and drop-in centre will be able to provide both hampers and hot meals to those in need in Castlegar through to early 2011, but McIntosh said there’s more to be done.
“We absolutely need the support and donations to continue – there’s always more we can do, if we have the resources,” she said, adding applicants had to provide proof of income to get school supplies this year.
“We hate turning people away, but we need to make sure we’re being good stewards of public money and getting it to the people who really need it.
“That’s one of the most heartening parts of all this, for me …. that people trust us to do the right thing with their donations,” she added. “It’s critical we live up to that trust.”
As many as 50 local families will receive school supplies from the food bank this Friday.
For more information, to apply or to donate, call 250-365-6440.
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