Donations to the Warman Food Bank (WFB) have increased steadily since the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions came into effect in mid-March.
But the need in the community for food and other basic household items has also gone up, according to WFB Coordinator Gina Funk.
“There’s a lot of donations – both financial and grocery goods – coming in,” said Funk in an interview at the food bank pantry in the Awakening Church in Warman on Tuesday, April 28. “But there’s also a lot of stuff going out to families in need.
“Right now, we’re in a pretty good way because we’re able to meet the demand. The response from the community in terms of donations has been amazing.”
Funk said many residents are contacting the food bank to ask how they can help out.
“I think the COVID-19 crisis has really opened people’s eyes,” said Funk. “A lot of people realize that even though they may be well-off, a lot of other people are struggling. And they feel like they should be helping out more.
“In many ways the pandemic is encouraging people to look outside themselves and reach out to people in need.”
Funk said the WFB has a website (warmanfoodbank.ca) and a facebook page. People who need assistance, or who want to make donations, can contact the WFB through those portals.
She said the WFB had a successful Christmas campaign to encourage donations. And while in most years the number of donations drops off after the holidays, this year is a different story altogether.
“It’s very unusual,” said Funk. “There’s been a steady, sustained increase in donations.
“Hopefully, that will continue even after the province starts to re-open the economy and things get back to a bit more normal.”
The food bank provides a combination of gift cards for local grocery stores as well as non-perishable food items to those in need. That way, clients are able to get fresh produce, dairy products and other perishable items, said Funk.
Kendall Shram, the head pastor at the Awakening Church and a city councillor in Warman, agreed the generosity of individuals, businesses and community organizations is helping the food bank meet the rising demand.
“At this point it appears the food bank is in a good position to handle the next few weeks and months,” Shram told the Warman City Council video–conference meeting on Monday, April 27.
Shram said so far, a total of $12,521.13 in financial donations has been received by the WFB since March 23, when the COVID-19 restrictions kicked in and economic activity dwindled.
“A total of $5,524.12 was donated by individuals; $5,297.01 by Warman churches; and $1,700 by Warman clubs and businesses,” Shram said in his report to Warman City Council. “During that period so far, the food bank has provided help to 93 people in 23 households.
“Eight of those households are single-parent families.
“Of the 93 people, 52 of them are kids.”
Shram said while most of the recipient families have needed only one gift card or food hamper, others are in a position where they have had to return twice or even three times for help.
Funk said the WFB focuses on helping families in the immediate area. She noted there are other informal food banks in other communities, including Martensville and Osler.
The food bank ensures anonymity for recipients. Funk said anyone needing assistance, or who knows of a family or individual in need of help, is encouraged to contact the WFB via its website or facebook page.