Filling up local food banks

Sep 27, 2012

Photo: Marlene Wheeler of Sharbot Lake and OPP Aux. Const. Mike Scott “stuff the cruiser” in Sharbot Lake

Members of the OPP stuffed their cruisers at three separate locations in South and Central Frontenac in support of local area food banks. In Sharbot Lake, Auxiliary Constables Andrew Mouck and Mike Scott received cash and food donations for the North Frontenac Food Bank, which is run out of Northern Frontenac Community Services. In Verona and Sydenham, donations were taken for the food bank run by Southern Frontenac Community Services. I spoke with North Frontenac Food Bank coordinator Kim Cucoch at the Sharbot Lake location about the importance of the event, which is now in its fourth year. “At this time of year the food banks are in need of absolutely everything. Cash donations are very handy because with them we can buy food in bulk and can get it at really good prices.” That being said, of course all donations of food are also much appreciated and Kim said all of the basic essentials like cereals, soups, and especially protein-rich foods like peanut butter and tuna fish are always welcome.

Kim stressed the fact that the increasing cost of food has put more and more families in need of the local food banks especially with winter coming. “In this area in particular, where many people are seasonally employed, and with the added cost of heating with winter coming, a lot of people and families are put into a tough position that leaves them turning to the food banks to help get them through.”

Anyone who missed the event can call and make a cash or food donation to either local food bank by calling NFCS in Sharbot Lake at 613-279-3151 and SFCSC in Sydenham at 613-376-6477 (toll free at 1-800-763-9610).