HARRISTON – On March 7, 1990, Bev May founded the Harriston Food Bank with a $100 donation.
And after 35 years, she returned to the place it all began for a celebration of community support.
The food bank began in the basement of the Harriston United Church.
During the 1980s, a public health nurse, Jennifer Bell, contacted May to see if the church could help a family in need.
As May was a member of the Harriston church, she took on the responsibility and quickly noticed a need for food support.
“Forty years ago when I came here, there were no food banks in small rural areas anywhere,” May told the Advertiser.
She explained gaining exposure was difficult as there existed a negative stigma about the facility.
“Way back you wouldn’t be caught coming into the food bank,” she said. “It was a terrible thing.”
In 2013, May reached out to the community for volunteer help, and in January 2014, a new committee was formed.
That same year the location of the food bank no longer had to be discrete and could shared proudly.
It now resides in the bottom of the old Harriston Town Hall at 68 Elora St. S.
“We started with eight clients and now have 65,” said coordinator Bonnie Noble.
She has been the coordinator for the last three years, taking over from Iris Richardson.
In all 35 years, only three coordinators have existed at the food bank.
The operation is funded through donations from the community, stated Noble.
“Fortunately we do have a community that’s very good at supporting the food bank, which has been extremely helpful,” she added.
As of now, six volunteers run the program but more are always welcome.
For the 35th anniversary, volunteers, committee members and guests gathered at the old location to show their appreciation.
“On behalf of the Town of Minto … we want to thank all you folks for being a big part of this food bank,” Mayor Dave Turton told the crowd.
Popular items needed at the food bank include:
- pasta;
- pasta sauce;
- soup cans;
- peanut butter;
- cereal;
- school snacks; and
- tissues.
Local residents in need can access the food bank by appointment only, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 12pm.
Clients may only use the services once every 30 days.
