Feature Article October 16, 2002
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Food Bank needs infusion of volunteer helpBy David Brison The Frontenac Community Food Bank, centred in Sharbot Lake, has been serving communities in the surrounding area since 1989. For the past few years, the Reverend Bruce Geddes and Brenda Piat have been the ones largely responsible for processing requests, gathering donated food, buying food with donated funds to supplement the donated food, and filling the food hampers. The emergency requests for food are still coming in; if anything they seem to be increasing, but Bruce and Brenda are wearing out and need more help. The Food Bank, modelled on the Kingston-based Partners and Mission Food Bank, is set up to provide emergency supplies of food for individuals and families who find themselves without anything to eat. A hamper with a week's supply of food is picked up (it used to be delivered, but that can no longer be done). Individuals or families can receive only one hamper per month, and can only receive a hamper for three consecutive months. The usual process is for a worker at the Northern Frontenac Community Services to receive a request for emergency funding. The worker then fills out a form listing monthly expenses and income. In order to be eligible, the income must not be enough to purchase food after expenses are deducted. A standard formula, identical to the one used by the Kingston food bank, is used. By the end of September this year, the local food bank had processed 130 requests, representing 78 individuals or family units (there are some repeat requests). There are 218 children represented in these figures. The number of requests goes up markedly in January, February, and March. The majority of the requests come from families or individuals who are on Ontario Works (75), followed by 33 who are on disability pensions. Another 22 find themselves in emergencies of one kind or another. A substantial amount of donated food is provided in each hamper. Among the items are: peanut butter, pasta sauce, cans of soup, vegetables, pork & beans, eggs, bread, cereal, and many other staples. In addition, there is a special grant, administered by the Frontenac Management Board, which enables the food bank to purchase fresh meat, vegetables, and fresh fruit for families with children. Grocery stores have boxes where people can drop items for the food bank. In addition, schools and other organizations have fund raising drives for the food bank. Bruce Geddes says that the bank has been mostly self-sufficient - there was one glitch this year when an anonymous individual donor decided that they could no longer provide funds for fresh meat and vegetables. It looked for a while as if the food bank would not be able to use the funds from Frontenac Management Board because they are not incorporated. However, these bureaucratic obstacles were worked out and the funds now replace what was provided by the individual donor. The National Food Store Chains have recently initiated a campaign to support food banks in many chain stores. They have placed large and very visible bins for collection of food contributions in their stores. In addition, they have marked some staple food bank items, such as cans of beans and stew, on the shelves and offered them at reduced rates. Shoppers can buy the items and put them in the bins. There are also cards available on the racks that instruct the cashier to add $2 to their grocery bill and give that amount to the local food bank. This campaign started in Harvey's Valu-mart in Sharbot Lake last week and will continue for two more weeks. The food bank committee has the following members at present: Astrid Thonigs (who has been on since the beginning), Bruce Geddes, Brenda Piat, Jerry and Evelyn Izzard, Patsy Henry, Barbara Mahood, Jack Brule, and Bessie Steele (who has just replaced Rita Brule as treasurer). Bruce Geddes and Brenda Piat operate the bank on alternate weeks. Bruce says, "We need a total of four to six active volunteers who could take turns filling requests for a week and also stock hampers in advance." Anyone wanting to volunteer should contact Bruce Geddes at 279-2192.