Loading...
The Lucknow Sentinel, 2013-11-27, Page 1414 Lucknow Sentinel • Wednesday, November 27, 2013 Food Bank need up significantly from 2012 Troy Patterson Kincardine News The Kincardine Food Bank is up 475 visits from 2012's year-end total as of the end of Octo- ber, with 2,239 families, couples and singles uti- lizing the service compared to 1,764 the previous year. "That's a big increase... it's actually a huge increase," said Kincardine Food Bank's Pat Photos By Troy Patterson Kincardine News The Kincardine Food Bank has seen a significant rise in usage in 2013, with 475 visits more than the 2012 total by the end of October. A Volunteers Pat Stewart, Bob Wolfenden and Nancy Dawson show off a cart full of food ready to be restocked. Stewart. "Hydro bills are the biggest issue we're hearing about. We're also seeing a lot of part- time and seasonal workers, since they're finding it difficult to find full-time work around here." Stewart said cost of living in the area, with rent, food, utilities elevated in comparison to other areas of Bruce County, is putting pressure on people. Some area out of work, working part- time jobs and in some cases more than one job and still struggling to pay the bills. "The economy just isn't good;" she said. Volunteer Nancy Dawson said need has been steadily increasing at the Kincardine Food Bank, which is located at the Anglican Church of the Messiah and serves the Municipality of Kincar- dine north to Underwood, as well as Point Clark and Ripley areas of Huron -Kinloss. A total of 63 new clients, including families, couples and sin- gles, were registered so far this year. "Our numbers just keep rising, but we're fortu- nate to have a very generous community," said Dawson. "It's hard to believe it's this way in Kin- cardine. We live in a bubble and a lot of people are left on the outside:' A group of 25 volunteers, including a number of new men to "help with the heavy stuff" keep stock organized, sorted, monitoring and remov- ing expired food on a routine basis. Donations come in sporadically throughout the year from personal donations, birthday parties, funeral homes and anniversaries, alongside corporate and business donations. Stewart said there is always a surge when need is greatest during the Thanksgiving and Christ- mas seasons, but local grocery stores like Zehrs and Sobeys keep donation bins open year-round because the need is constant. Dawson said estimated the Food Bank spends about $35,000 in donated funds to balance its food stocks throughout the year, in order to fill in shortages of specific items like meats, and buy gift cards to allow clients to choose food items on We can help you with your winter driving. Large selection of used 4x4 Escapes, Pickups and AWD Edges. For a limited time get a No Extra Charge Winter • Safety • Package UP TO $1,800 (MSRP) VALUE TIRES I RIMS SENSORS with the purchase or lease of selea new 2013 and 2014 models. WINTER SAFETY PACKAGE ENDS DEC 2ND. ONTGOMERY Lucknow : Kincardine 519-528-2813:519-396-3436 • their own from local grocery stores. "Sobeys and Zehrs deliver tons and tons to us, because we put in huge orders," said Dawson. "We alternate orders between the stores to be fair to both." Dawson said they're also grateful of the vari- ous eggs, meats, local produce and restaurant donations they receive, as it allows the Kincar- dine Food Bank to provide the best service it can to those in need. Application Process Both Stewart and Dawson stressed that clients don't come 'shopping' at the food bank, as some may perceive, with the agency following a spe- cific process of logging clients and encouraging use be limited to once a month, but clients can visit more if the need is greater. "We're not here to judge and we'd never turn anyone away," said Stewart. Volunteers sit down with clients to record their identifying information, their reason for the need, any allergies, foods to include or not to include, along with mills, sugar, toiletries, school snacks and children's needs. The food bank sees an average of about 20-25 people each week, with numbers reaching as high as 40 at times. "The need is here, but again, the generosity in this community is very good," said Stewart. The Kincardine Food Bank also coordinates 'Grub Tubs' with the Kincardine Lions Club, pro- viding snacks and food to local schools for chil- dren who have forgotten their lunch, or get hun- gry throughout the day. They also coordinate applications for the sep- arate Kincardine Community Services Associa- tion Christmas Hamper Program. The food bank is open every Thursday of the month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information call 519-396-8468. t Food Bank volunteers Susan Dodkin of Blair's Grove and Kincardine's Jean Bain help restock the store room at the Kincardine Food Bank. s Volunteer Bob Martin sorts through items to be restocked from the store room of the Anglican Church, along with expired food items. V A Volunteers Marg Scurfield and Lynda MacKenzie greet clients at the food bank to gather information before food is distributed. Looking on at back are volunteers Marilyn Spate and Lyla Stewart. ��I