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Home My WebLink AboutClinton News Record, 2013-11-27, Page 22 News Record • Wednesday, November 27, 2013 Food bank users know the value of giving back Gerard Creces Clinton News -Record It's the last place anyone wants to be, but one of the first places people need to donate to. Food bank usage in Huron County has spiked in recent years, with more than 18,000 accessing the services in the past year alone. For those using the food bank, it was not an easy decision to make. The News -Record talked to three different food bank clients to illustrate justwhat the expe- rience is all about. Some names have been changed to respect the persons' privacy. For Jody*, her first trip to the food bank was bome out of disaster. She approached the Salvation Army food bank following the 2011 tornado, which flattened a large swath of Goderich and Central Huron. It was not easy, and she questioned whether she was even deserving of the help. "When I first went, I was scared and embarrassed," she said. "Should I be doing this? I am working but there are other peo- ple that are probably worse off than I am" That sentiment is common among first- time visitors, but necessity is greater than pride, and she said she was made to feel very comfortable by the food bank staff, t3 FOSTER FAMILIES NEEDED FOR Hun -rt, CHILDREN & YOUTH Help Children Iran Your Community For lnrarmetlon COI the Hofon-Peeth Chi kiwis Aid 3acie1yi Perth County (Deanie Jardine) 519-277-5290,or $300-5 9-50M Huron County (Deanie Jardine) 519-5211-7150 Or t-IIIXI-205-519/1 lack Th OLF 5. 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Jody uses the food bank each month. She works less than 20 hours a week and is on Ontario Works. Her husband is unable to work following a workplace injury. It had a signifi- cant impact on the family of three's finances. "He was a labourer, and making good money too" she said. "Thatwas a big blow." What made the first visit so diffi- cult for Jody was likely the way she was brought up, she said. Both her parents worked hard and her family had "almost everything" Sometimes, especially with a souring economy, rock bottom comes sooner than expected. The important thing is to recognize it, she said, and take advantage of the help available. "I would recommend it to any- body that is in dire straights," she said. "If you think you need it, go. Don't feel embarrassed - there are a lot of people out there that use it that don't feel the same" As a way of giving back, Jody vol- unteers at the food bank when she can. Working 2-3 jobs and caring for her grandson does eat into that time, she said, however she stresses the importance of giving back - espe- cially when the shelves are getting empty. Don't feel like you don't want to go is her advice to anyone considering approaching the food bank. "Go and see for yourself Don't be 9Rs �HOVYr. ashamed:' Tony* was laid off from Volvo when the grader manufacturer closed its doors in 2008. He first con- nected to the St. Vincent De Paul food bank through the Clinton Sal- vation Army office. "Things got pretty tight - the sever- ance only lasted so long" He has been using the SVDP food bank for more than a year now, get- ting his monthly box of food and household staples. On his first visit, he too felt embar- rassed about having to go to the food bank, though he did not know what to expect. He said he kept thinking he didn't want to or shouldn't be there, but after visiting the food bank, found it to be a welcoming and posi- tive experience. As he was leaving the St Vincent De Paul after that first visit, he ran into someone he knew on the way out Rather than be fur- ther embarrassed, Tony said he just accepted it. "It was just a fact of life... one of those things," he said. "I wish Iwasn't doing it. I wish I was building road graders again." Between his Volvo pension and his Canada pension, he is faring bet- ter than he was on Ontario Works - which deducted his Volvo pension amount from his payments and "net- ted out to nothing," he said. There are times when his food bank visits are anything but rosy, he said, and it all depends on what donations are in at the time. Last week he received a litre of mills, a pound of hamburger, food for his dog, a pound of pasta with two cans of sauce, cereal, a dozen eggs, two rolls of toilet paper and some other household items. "It's supposed to last a month, but it sure as hell can't," he said. "They are struggling. All they can dole out is what they are donated. Sometimes they are just about down to the bare walls:' Unlike any for-profit business, he said the more customers at the food bank, the worse things are. He quit driving a year ago when he needed eye surgery, and while he said his sight is now better than ever, his car still sits unused. By the time insurance and plates are paid for, he would have very little left, he said, so he pays a friend to bring him into town for shopping and appointments. He, too, gives back when he has the chance, and encourages others to do the same. "I just encourage people to donate whenever possible," he said. "Not just food - think about what you use around the house" Items like paper towels, razors and pet food are all necessities but may not be the first things people think about when donating to the food bank Dawn admits without reserve that she knows where just about every free meal is in the area, and where food is offered, she'll take it "What it's all about is people are hungry out there," she said. "It doesn't matter where you go - peo- ple are hungry." She began using the food bank about two years ago, and continues to do so intermittently. Sporadic work hours mean she is sometimes able to do without the food bank, and other times, needs to rely on it She was first introduced to the food bank when visiting a soup kitchen at one of the local churches. On Mondays and Wednesdays, Gerard Creces Clinton News Record Dawn Climie has been using the food bank off and on for two years, and said while apprehensive at first, she soon came to realize it is there for one purpose - feeding the hungry, no matter who they are. meals are offered at the Heartland Church in Clinton, and Dawn said she bases her shopping and appoint- ments around those days to save on transportation costs. Once a week, she tries to get to Goderich to put out job applications- whether or not the places are hiring. A typical package for Dawn is toi- let paper, beans, tea or coffee, maca- roni and cheese and a package of meat in addition to pasta, peanut butter, soup and bread. Sometimes it is enough to last the month. When donations are scarce, however, it might be enough for one week When she first approached the food bank, she said she was both hesitant and embarrassed. It was too hard to tell people the situation she was in. "Maybe it was pride," she said. 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