By TERRY PUGH
With more clients coming through its doors every month, the Warman Food Bank (WFB) is stepping up efforts to meet the growing demand and keep its shelves stocked.
A ‘Thanksgiving Food and Donation Drive’ was launched by the WFB in mid-August.
The focus of the campaign over the next few weeks is on providing a wholesome and healthy Thanksgiving dinner for families in need, according to WFB Coordinator Dorothy Richard.
“We’re doing what we can so we can give the people who need our help a nice Thanksgiving meal,” said Richard. “We traditionally provide Christmas hampers to families in December, and the community responds well to those appeals. So this is really an extension of that campaign to include Thanksgiving as well as Christmas.”
The campaign encourages both financial and food donations. Contributions can be made online at www.warmanfoodbank.ca or dropped off at the WFB, located in the Awakening Church, 208 Main Street. The WFB phone number is 306-934-7007.
“We are collecting funds for grocery store gift cards and food for our pantry,” said Richard. “We’re in need of dry goods, soup, pasta, pasta sauce, dairy products, and of course fresh vegetables and meat.”
Richard said the WFB has seen an increase of “at least a dozen new families” accessing its services over the past few months.
“Last May we saw 52 visits from clients, in June it was up to 55, and in July we saw 68 visits,” said Richard. “We’re expecting to see even more this fall, so we’re hoping this campaign encourages donations to help us fill that need.”
Richard said the increase in client visits to the food bank is a symptom of the larger issue of poverty.
“It’s not always obvious in a community like Warman,” she said. “It’s a little bit hidden, in a way. But it’s there, and we can’t ignore it.”
To accommodate additional donations, the WFB is increasing its drop-off hours at its location on Main Street. In addition to its regular hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, it is open Wednesday, August 28, and Wednesday, September 4 from 5 to 7 p.m.; and on Saturday, August 24 and Saturday, August 31 from 3 to 7 p.m.
“Any contribution, either of food or cash donation, is most welcome,” said Richard.
The WFB is a registered charitable organization, and monetary donations are tax-deductible. Additional information is available online at www.warmanfoodbank.ca .