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Times Advocate, 1994-7-6, Page 13Serving Soulh Huron. Norm M.ddlewl 8 Nor171Lampton Since 1873 Frenchman's Inn Early Bird Dinner Everyday 5 to 6:30 p.m. .Starting at 515.95 235-2008 Second Section . Jul 6, 1994 A food bank opens in Exeter, THE NEED Slt i nthrusting the town into the economic realities of the '90s • Volunteer Kathleen Little helps stock the shelves at the Exeter Food Bank after its opening Friday moming. Regular donatiops from community groups and individuals are expected to be needed to keep the operation rtfnning. Exeter Tito I Auto Centtv YES WE CAN... SPECIAL: LUB OIL & FILTER BRAKES... Front Disc Brakes $9900 Most Cars - includes metallic pads • Clean and service calipers • Inspection of complete brake systems • Additional parts or labour are extra Rear Drum Brakes $?900 • Install rear shoes, machine drums, • Adjust parking brake • Complete brake system inspection • Additional parts & labour are extra 4 TIRES - TIPES - TIRES Goodyear, Michelin, Uniroyal, BF Goodrich, oyo, Brigadl = r CALL FOR AN APPOINTMPiT 1 BECKER /::&fl' -'7:7;;T Products Inc. 600 Main Street, South, Exeter, Ontario. NOM 1 Si Ph: (519) 235-2757 Fax: (519) 235-4067 4 By Adrian Harte T -A Editor EXETER - It was a low-key event that went unnoticed by most town residents, but Friday morning Exeter joined the economic realities of the 1990s: a food bank opened its doors in town. While it might be nice to believe the Exeter area is immune from hunger and poverty, the fact is there are at least 40 families who will be making regular use of the food bank's charity. More needy families are expected to come for- ward in the coming weeks. At the same time the rest of the town was celebrating Canada Day, a short prayer service was held out- side the Main Street building to rec- ognize the dedication and opening of the food bank. Located off the street behind A World of Goods and the Noah's Ark second-h4ndreiotk- ing store, the bank's sign was put up to the applause of a small gath- ering. "This is a momentous day, one we've looked forward to for some time," said Pastor Vernon Dean at the dedication service. "We ask that this -place be a place of bless- ing." Much of the credit for the crea- tion of the food bank goes to two people, who prefer to let their dona- tions and volunteer efforts remain anonymous. They say that now it is open, they want the food bank to continue as a project for the whole community. Indeed, the shelves full of cans and boxes of food ready to be dis- tributed to needy families are al- ready the result of a community ef- fort. The Exeter Fire Department canvassed the town a few weeks ago and collected enough goods to fully stock the food hank for its opening. Continued donations will be needed to keep the operation afloat. If a freezer is added to the hank in coming months, then frozen food or produce could be accepted as well, but until then, only non-perishable items are being collected. The bank will he open in the mornings only, Monday to Sat - urday, except Thursdays, and needy families will be able to collect a prepared box of food items over the counter from a volunteer worker. The need for a food bank in Exet- er is well established. Some 40 families from the town and im- mediate area are already registered with the Ailsa Craig food bank, and make regular trips there to collect food items to help make ends meet. All of those fa ilies' applications are being trans- ferred to the Exeter operation. More needy families, un- able to make the trip to Ailsa Craig, are expected to start making use of the local food bank. Because other food banks are al- ready operating in Zurich, Clinton, St. Marys and Forest, the Exeter fa- cility is concentrating on serving only the South Huron area "from Kippen to the County line", said one volunteer. "We're expecting the rest of the community will get involved, the rest of the churches," said Pastor Vernon Dean, who said the food bank's experience will likely be similar to the Noah's Ark store. Like the food bank, the used clothing store was opened with the support of the Exeter Pentecostal Tabernacle, but has developed its support throughout the town and its "We've really sad hearts churches to become a self- sufficient operation. In fact, the small profits from the store will help with the food bank's costs, said Pastor Dean. "People have been asking, ever since [Noah's Ark] opened, when the food hank was coming," said Pastor Dean. A volunteer at the clothing store agrees. "From week one, when the store opened, we started having food come in," said Elizabeth Davis, adding that it had to be- sent to the church for dis- tribution. "People are go- ing to get behind this. It's going to be a good thing for this town," she said. Davis said there really are local families having a hard time making ends meet. Local unemployment is still high, and welfare payments are being cut back by the province, leaving less money for food and clothing when the monthly bills are paid. "We've had some really sad tales - our hearts were torn," said Davis. Former town councillor Morley Hall dropped by the newly opened food bank and insisted the need for it has been in Exeter for some time. "I think they're going to be burst- ing at the seams," said Hall. had some tales - our were torn." 11 i rrtsrF ;11pr ha' $*iar;.s' The opening of the food bank was greeted with applause by those who say (he operation has been a long time coming for the town. S ► COUMTPXrLOW5 our 20th 4 ANNIVERSARY ► 4 a V 25' off • • • ► STOREWIDE ► ► • ' • Does not include: antiques, custom orders, serviced orders, fresh flowers 4 4 4 Mtmain Gt. ese+or 255.2350 . - ► ei. 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 - • • •