Food Bank sees client list increasing

An increase in the number of people struggling to provide for their families in the community was highlighted at the Centre Wellington Food Bank’s annual general meeting on May 28 highlighted. Also recognized at the meeting was the helping hand offered by a wide range of businesses, service groups and individuals.

Keynote speaker Bill Laidlaw, executive director of the Ontario Association of Food Banks, leads a network of 127 food banks. With its mission of a hunger-free Ontario, the association secures ongoing large-scale donations from food industry partners and distributes them to member food banks. To further programs to fight the root causes of poverty, it also lobbies all provincial political parties.

Local demand for help is growing, with twice the number of new clients compared to 2012. Over 700 people were served during 2013, with children accounting for 40 per cent of the clients. Approximately 40% of the families that use the food bank have less than $400 to spend on food and other basic necessities after rent and utilities have been paid.

Jackie Andrews, president of the board of directors, outlined a number of milestones. The Food Bank achieved a key part of its 10-year strategic plan with last fall’s purchase of two units in the Fergus Marketplace, one of them the space rented since 2009. This will ensure continuity for clients and a reduction in operating costs. With the March installation of a new walk-in refrigerator and freezer, the Food Bank will be able to make better use of the increasingly generous donations of fresh and frozen food. This development came about through a small group of donors who realized how much this equipment could help in providing healthier meal options.

Andrews expressed gratitude for the overwhelming and ongoing support from this community. A total of 27 awards were presented and an additional 40 certificates of appreciation will be hand-delivered in June. Receiving awards were Centre Wellington Hydro, Curl For A Cause, Danielle Ellis (O.P.P. Auxiliary), Fergus Lions Club, Food Cycle Ride (Friend of the Food Bank Award), Fraberts Fresh Food, Francis Baker, FreshCo, Global Pet Foods, Grand Quilt Guild of Fergus, Grand River Agricultural Society, Kinsmen Club of Fergus & District, Little Caesars Pizza, M&M Meat Shops (Corporate Sponsor of the Year), Robert Musselman (Volunteer of the Year), OLG Slots at Grand River Raceway, Paul Albright, Polycorp Ltd., Rotary Club of Centre Wellington, Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora, Scotiabank, Sensational Elora, Empty Bowls & Glasses, SM Polymers Inc., St. James Anglican Church, V.I.S.I.O.N. Financial Services, William H. Tibbles and Zehrs.

 

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