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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-09-16, Page 2Page 2 - Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, September 16, 2009 t r,tt lord 1 Cinemas • 551 Huron St. 1 273-6780 ber 18 - 24 1 Food bank starved for contributions Gerard Creasy signal -star staff This summer was one of high demand for the Salvation Army food bank, as numbers of people relying on the organization continue to climb to more than double the 2008 figures. Last year from January to August, 533 people used the Sally Ann food banks in Clin- ton and Goderich, compared to 1,097 for the same period this year. Family services manager Deb Vallinga said the majority of those using the food bank are in the Clinton area. Already, she said, the spillover from the Volvo plant closure in Goderich is becom- ing manifest, as employees of companies that were supported by the grader manufacturer - particularly in trucking - are seeing their em- ployees out of work as well. Vallinga added higher numbers of food bank users in Clinton are also due to the af- fordability if housing in the town, as cheaper rent and utilities make it a less-expensive place to live than Goderich. 'However, the town is not going to be safe forever, especially when severances and em- ployment insurance benefits get used up. "Goderich's numbers are down a bit," she said. "But I think in a year that will change" The total number of food bank users last year was 1,800 between Clinton and God- erich and this year, that number is already around 1,400. Due to such high demand, she said the food bank is actually running out of staples, some - like pasta and sauce - for the first time. "We haven't even gotten into the heavy season yet," she said. "I knew the numbers were high, but 1 am very concerned with the percentage-." However, she said summer is generally a slow time for dona- tions, with anywhere from 25 to 50 per cent less food coming in. "'Phis summer, be- cause the numbers are so high, we are starting to run out of food," she reiterated. "We've had 140 to 160 people a month this summer. That's unheard of. Normally it's more like 40. "We can't keep up with the momen- tum for the need for food." Fri & Sat 6:45 & 9:15 Sun - Thur 8:00 Fri & Sat 6:45 & 9:15 Sun - Thur 8:00 www.n1c)vielink5i_cii tixty'h�y:e, Photo byGerard Creces Deb Vallinga and Krista Andrews say that every contribution to the local food bank helps the community. check out Items the Salvation Army food bank need are: - canned juice - crackers and cookies - canned fruit (ie: peaches, pears, etc.) - canned ham/corned beef - cereal - condiments (ketchup, mustard) - pasta sauce - ravioli - snack packs for school kids - powdered milk - canned vegetables such as beets and beans To combat this, food banks in the area have been working closer together, sharing food and resources to make sure help gets to those who need it. A distribution centre is being set up in Ex- eter, and would act as a hub from which food can be sent across the county. Vallinga also said the county's food banks are hoping to tap into more community re- sources, farms and stores as a way of getting either food, personal items or even monetary donations. Captain Krista Andrews said the food bank can't take frozen food items, however she said people have donated animals such as pigs to be butchered in order to give out meat. Andrews said it is important to have a vari- ety of foods so those requiring food bank as- sistance can still get a balanced diet. She added many people face the challenge of not only securing food for themselves and their families, but paying for housing costs as well. "A lot of people can't pay rent, utilities and food," she said. Quite often, she added, when the grocery bill is paid, there is little money left to take care of the rest. Many people in the Goderich and Clinton area are still struggling to pay off their hydro bills from last winter, and Vallinga noted they have had about 20 calls so far from people who have had their hydro disconnected -be- cause they can't pay their bills. To that end, the food bank has to step up their assistance to make sure people can eat and pay bills. "We have to feed some families every two weeks," she said. "And let them use their money to pay bills. "People just can't go the month anymore." Compounding a difficult situation created by manufacturing job losses is not just the loss of income, but of benefits as well. While there are government programs such as Tril- lium available, the weeks or months awaiting approval can be devastating. "The income isn't there but the bills are the same. Their benefits are gone and they still have to pay for prescriptions," Vallinga said. "If you're just applying for EI, it's shocking to -find what's not available." The Salvation Army can help people need- ing one-time prescriptions like antibiotics and what they are unable to help with, they will put you in contact with someone who can Both Andrews and Vallinga urge_ people facing financial strain to seek help before get- ting disconnected or going hungry. The Sally Ann regularly consults those with pending financial troubles, though Vallinga said most see their services as an emergency response. Regardless of what is needed, it is their mandate to help and they continue to do just that even as demand for food outpaces dona- tions. But as severance pay dries up and ap- plicants far exceed available jobs in the area, the call becomes more desperate for people to donate to the food bank. Anyone wishing to make a donation to the Salvation Army food bank can drop it off Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Salvation Army's family services centre at their new location on 309 Suncoast and in Clinton from 1:30-5 p.m. 3 ri an CS+�• Pet aY's dr With A ?meso a hitt Full 01 Cash! Ou Chest..- And It Could Bo Yours IsInPot Funny People — .� NAhtly at 7:00. Sat/Sun matinee at 2pm Julie & Julia CB Nightly at 6:46 & 9:16, SaUSun matinee at 2pm 1 District 9 14 Nightly at 7:00 & 9:15 Shorts Sat/Sun matinee at 2pm The Time Traveler's Wife Nightly at 7:00 & 9:110lat/Sun matinee at 2pm Gamer] NlghUy at 7:00 & 9:16, Sat/Sun matinee at 2pm 56.00 Tuesdays www.strattordcinemas.com 1 Lake .. , ..0. .... Huron 4 ih- �.. Pony Club 0. ,u, Sunday, Sept.20th 2:00 - 4:OOpm . we invite you to the Pony Club Registration Day. Comeand watch the kids and ponies while we thank our Generous Sponsors. For more -information contact www.canadianponyclub.org/ WesternOntario/index.htm or phone 519-440-0653 FREE REFRESHMENTS SERVED! Food bank starved for contributions Gerard Creasy signal -star staff This summer was one of high demand for the Salvation Army food bank, as numbers of people relying on the organization continue to climb to more than double the 2008 figures. Last year from January to August, 533 people used the Sally Ann food banks in Clin- ton and Goderich, compared to 1,097 for the same period this year. Family services manager Deb Vallinga said the majority of those using the food bank are in the Clinton area. Already, she said, the spillover from the Volvo plant closure in Goderich is becom- ing manifest, as employees of companies that were supported by the grader manufacturer - particularly in trucking - are seeing their em- ployees out of work as well. Vallinga added higher numbers of food bank users in Clinton are also due to the af- fordability if housing in the town, as cheaper rent and utilities make it a less-expensive place to live than Goderich. 'However, the town is not going to be safe forever, especially when severances and em- ployment insurance benefits get used up. "Goderich's numbers are down a bit," she said. "But I think in a year that will change" The total number of food bank users last year was 1,800 between Clinton and God- erich and this year, that number is already around 1,400. Due to such high demand, she said the food bank is actually running out of staples, some - like pasta and sauce - for the first time. "We haven't even gotten into the heavy season yet," she said. "I knew the numbers were high, but 1 am very concerned with the percentage-." However, she said summer is generally a slow time for dona- tions, with anywhere from 25 to 50 per cent less food coming in. "'Phis summer, be- cause the numbers are so high, we are starting to run out of food," she reiterated. "We've had 140 to 160 people a month this summer. That's unheard of. Normally it's more like 40. "We can't keep up with the momen- tum for the need for food." Fri & Sat 6:45 & 9:15 Sun - Thur 8:00 Fri & Sat 6:45 & 9:15 Sun - Thur 8:00 www.n1c)vielink5i_cii tixty'h�y:e, Photo byGerard Creces Deb Vallinga and Krista Andrews say that every contribution to the local food bank helps the community. check out Items the Salvation Army food bank need are: - canned juice - crackers and cookies - canned fruit (ie: peaches, pears, etc.) - canned ham/corned beef - cereal - condiments (ketchup, mustard) - pasta sauce - ravioli - snack packs for school kids - powdered milk - canned vegetables such as beets and beans To combat this, food banks in the area have been working closer together, sharing food and resources to make sure help gets to those who need it. A distribution centre is being set up in Ex- eter, and would act as a hub from which food can be sent across the county. Vallinga also said the county's food banks are hoping to tap into more community re- sources, farms and stores as a way of getting either food, personal items or even monetary donations. Captain Krista Andrews said the food bank can't take frozen food items, however she said people have donated animals such as pigs to be butchered in order to give out meat. Andrews said it is important to have a vari- ety of foods so those requiring food bank as- sistance can still get a balanced diet. She added many people face the challenge of not only securing food for themselves and their families, but paying for housing costs as well. "A lot of people can't pay rent, utilities and food," she said. Quite often, she added, when the grocery bill is paid, there is little money left to take care of the rest. Many people in the Goderich and Clinton area are still struggling to pay off their hydro bills from last winter, and Vallinga noted they have had about 20 calls so far from people who have had their hydro disconnected -be- cause they can't pay their bills. To that end, the food bank has to step up their assistance to make sure people can eat and pay bills. "We have to feed some families every two weeks," she said. "And let them use their money to pay bills. "People just can't go the month anymore." Compounding a difficult situation created by manufacturing job losses is not just the loss of income, but of benefits as well. While there are government programs such as Tril- lium available, the weeks or months awaiting approval can be devastating. "The income isn't there but the bills are the same. Their benefits are gone and they still have to pay for prescriptions," Vallinga said. "If you're just applying for EI, it's shocking to -find what's not available." The Salvation Army can help people need- ing one-time prescriptions like antibiotics and what they are unable to help with, they will put you in contact with someone who can Both Andrews and Vallinga urge_ people facing financial strain to seek help before get- ting disconnected or going hungry. The Sally Ann regularly consults those with pending financial troubles, though Vallinga said most see their services as an emergency response. Regardless of what is needed, it is their mandate to help and they continue to do just that even as demand for food outpaces dona- tions. But as severance pay dries up and ap- plicants far exceed available jobs in the area, the call becomes more desperate for people to donate to the food bank. Anyone wishing to make a donation to the Salvation Army food bank can drop it off Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Salvation Army's family services centre at their new location on 309 Suncoast and in Clinton from 1:30-5 p.m. 3 ri an CS+�• Pet aY's dr With A ?meso a hitt Full 01 Cash! Ou Chest..- And It Could Bo Yours IsInPot