WELLINGTON COUNTY – The rising cost of living, compounded by annual holiday expectations, has left many county residents struggling to make ends meet.
Local food banks are left to fill the gap, once again relying on the generosity and good will of the community.
Centre Wellington
The Centre Wellington Foodbank, located at 105 Queen St. W. in Fergus, has had a busy year.
Manager Curt McQueen says he anticipates the food bank will have over 4,000 visits by the end of December.
“We’re registering more new households than ever before,” said McQueen. “That number has come close to doubling from where we were last year as far as new households coming in.”
In-demand items at the Centre Wellington Foodbank include pasta sauce; chunky soup; small canned soup; pasta side dishes; canned vegetables, tomatoes and fruit; cereal; peanut butter; juice; jam; canned salmon and tuna; and canned pastas.
“The importance of those most needed items increases, particularly in November and December,” said McQueen.
The food bank is currently well stocked on dry pasta, tomato soup and canned chickpeas and lentils.
“We try and provide other items that are great for the holiday season,” said McQueen.
“Whether it’s the unperishable goods like cranberry sauce or stuffing or things like that.”
Kitchen volunteers at the food bank have been cooking turkeys to give to families, ensuring everyone gets a holiday dinner this season.
“We’ve probably done upwards of a dozen turkeys already,” said McQueen.
“They’re roasted up in our ovens ahead of time and then we bring them out, cut them in half and they go back in the freezer so we can offer families a fully roasted half turkey as well as … gravy and some stuffing.”
Those interested in donating to the food bank can do so by dropping off food and gift card donations at the food bank on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 4pm and Wednesdays from 11am to 7:30pm. Donation boxes can also be found at the Zehrs and FreshCo in Fergus.
Those seeking support from the food bank are invited to call 519-787-1401 or stop by the food bank to complete an application.
Those wishing to apply must provide two items showing proof of residency in Centre Wellington as well as valid photo identification such as a driver’s license, passport or LCBO BYID card.
For more information visit cwfoodbank.org.
Arthur
The Arthur Food Bank, located at 146 George St., is currently serving approximately 83 families totaling over 200 individuals.
“This number keeps growing unfortunately,” said Arthur Food Bank president Shawna Lougheed.
“In January we served approximately 66 families, which is around 151 people.”
In-demand items at the Arthur Food Bank include hygiene items such as shampoo, conditioner, deodorant and feminine hygiene products; cereal and soups; tuna; canned fruits; pudding cups; cooking oil and peanut butter.
Lougheed put a special emphasis on hygiene products as she says they are needed but not often donated.
Those looking to donate to the Arthur Food Bank can do so by dropping off goods at the donation bin located at the Arthur Foodland.
Monetary donations can be dropped off at the food bank office via the slot in the door.
Individuals and families in need of service can contact the foodbank at 519-848-3272 or email arthurfoodbank@gmail.com.
“As of right now our office day is Thursday,” said Lougheed. “All emails and voicemails will be answered that day.”
Lougheed expressed her thanks to the many individuals and businesses in the community that support the foodbank and its mission.
“We extend our heartfelt thanks to the businesses, individuals, churches, and organizations whose generosity sustains our work …” said Lougheed.
“We truly couldn’t do what we do without you. We would also like to express our deepest gratitude to our dedicated volunteers, whose hard work and kindness are the driving force behind our operations …”
Palmerston
The Palmerston Community Food Bank, located at 215 William St., provides hampers throughout the year to clients, with special Christmas hampers handed out over the holiday season.
Board chair Deanna Martin says the foodbank averages around 15 hampers per week throughout the year, with an uptick around the holidays.
This year the food bank’s expecting to hand out nearly 90 Christmas hampers.
“Last year we did 88 hampers, a year before that was 72, a year before that was 50,” said Martin.
“We’ve had a … significant increase every year in requests.”
In-demand items this year include Christmas cookies, chocolates and “goodies” for children.
“The food bank covers all the actual food for the day. It’s the treats that make the difference to the kids especially,” said Martin.
Those interested in supporting the food bank can drop off items at the bin located inside the Palmerston Foodland.
Monetary donations are also encouraged and can be made via a mailed cheque to Box 1130 in Palmerston, or via e-transfer to palmfb@yahoo.ca.
All monetary donations must include your name and address to ensure a tax receipt can be mailed.
Those seeking service or more information can contact the food bank at 519-417-4774 or email palmfb@yahoo.ca.
Drayton/Mapleton
The Drayton and Community Food Bank, located at 74 Wellington St. S. inside The Drayton Reformed Church, has handed out more than 280 hampers as of November, including 77 families totalling 362 people.
“It’s [the food bank] one of those things that you’d like to see not in business, but in today’s world it’s just needed,” said food bank manager Lauren Devries.
In-demand items at the Drayton and Community Food Bank include school snacks such as Rice Krispies squares, granola bars and fruit cups; canned fruits; pasta and pasta sauce; and crackers.
Those looking to donate items can do so by using the designated drop-off bins at the main entrance to The Drayton Reformed Church.
There is also a drop-off bin at the Drayton Fresh Mart.
Those seeking service from the food bank can contact Devries at 519-504-2346 or draytonfoodbank@gmail.com.
Harriston
The Harriston Food Bank, located at 68 Elora St. S., is accepting all kinds of non-perishable food items, including school snacks, pasta and sauce, and canned fruits and vegetables.
Those interested in donating can use the drop-off bin inside the Harriston Foodland.
Those seeking service or more information can contact the food bank at 519-510-3663 or emailing colwell@wightman.ca.
Clifford
The Clifford Food Bank, while not having a physical drop-off location, is still in need of items this holiday season.
In-demand items include peanut butter, pasta and sauce, canned fruit and vegetables, canned salmon and tuna, crackers and granola bars.
Clifford Food Bank chair Don Senek says shelves at the food bank are most bare following the holidays.
“It seems that every month we get more new clients than we did before,” said Senek.
The food bank also runs a Christmas hamper program, servicing both families and individuals.
This year, families will receive a turkey, and individuals will receive a ham with trimmings.
Those interested in donating items are encouraged to contact the food bank at 519-327-8588. Pick up of the items will be arranged by a volunteer.
Anyone in need of service can call the number above or private message through the foodbank’s Facebook page.
Mount Forest
The Mount Forest Community Pantry, located at 248 Main St. S., has serviced over 2,200 individuals this past year.
In-demand items include peanut butter, coffee, rice, canned tuna and salmon, tea, soda crackers, drinking boxes and bars of soap.
Those interested in donating items can do so by utilizing one of the drop-off bins at the Mount Forest Foodland or No Frills.
Donations can also be dropped off directly at the pantry on Mondays from 2 to 4pm or on Thursdays from 9 to 11am.
Clients of the Mount Forest Food Bank will receive a food box once every 30 days. Each box contains enough food for one week.
Those in need of service can call the pantry Mondays and Thursdays from 2 to 4pm at 519-323-9218.
Potential clients or those looking to donate can also contact the food bank through email at mfcommunitypantry@hotmail.com.
Monetary donations are also accepted using the pantry’s email or by mailed cheque to Box 54, Mount Forest, N0G 2L0.
Erin, Guelph/Eramosa
East Wellington Community Services operates two food bank locations: one in Rockwood (at 143 Dennis St.) and another in Erin (45 Main St.).
This year the food bank has serviced 274 individuals between the two communities.
In-demand items at both locations include kids’ snacks, flour, milk, eggs, toilet paper, laundry soap and basic hygiene products.
“[We accept] gift cards as well,” said food bank manager Stephanie Conway.
“Whenever we get gift cards, then we go and buy our milk and our eggs and any dairy or meat that we may need.”
Donations can be dropped off at both locations Monday through Thursday from 9am to 4pm and on Fridays from 9am to 12pm.
East Wellington Community Services will be handing out Christmas hampers this year, which consist primarily of gift cards, allowing clients to purchase the food they need.
Those in need of service can call or text Conway at 519-215-1468 or email stephanie.c@ew-cs.com.
