As the holiday season nears, many of us look forward to time with family and friends, filled with warmth and comfort.
For too many in our region, however, this time of year brings added stress as they struggle to meet basic needs such as food and warm clothing, especially as the cost of living continues to rise.
According to Public Health Ontario, approximately one in four households in the province experiences food insecurity. Here at home, area food banks are seeing this increased demand.
“Last year, we served more than 5,000 people and we’ve already surpassed that number this year,” said a volunteer spokesperson for the Kincardine Food Bank. “Demand is certainly growing and we’re serving new people every week.”
Local food banks are grateful for the support of residents and businesses that can donate items and money to help meet the demand. The Kincardine Food Bank alone spends more than $10,000 a month to purchase items to go along with donated items, with 100 per cent of funds going to food and personal items since all overhead is donated and staffing is by volunteers.
Items such as canned goods, rice, powdered milk, coffee and peanut butter help immensely as donations but food banks also seeing more need for personal items such as laundry and dish soaps, and feminine hygiene products along with food for family pets.
Bruce Power and its supplier partners are donating to several area charities and food banks on behalf of their employees and we encourage everyone to give what they can, whether it’s a donation of non-perishable food and personal items, winter clothing, or a financial contribution.
We look at this not as a nice thing to do, but as part of our responsibility as a major employer in the region. This year we’re contributing goods and funds to:
· On-site warm winter clothing drive for Saugeen and Nawash, led by members of our Indigenous Network.
· $2,000 to each of 38 food banks across Bruce, Grey and Huron and Saugeen Ojibway Nation communities
· Grocery store gift cards distributed through local schools and women’s shelters.
· Warm winter clothing for Bruce Grey Child and Family Services and Huron Perth Children’s Aid Society.
· Community meal programs in Owen Sound, Kincardine, Port Elgin, Chesley, Walkerton and Hanover
· Homeless shelters in Bruce and Grey counties
Bruce Power and its supplier partners are also helping to support a Toy and Hamper Drive in collaboration with United Way of Bruce Grey. We invite members of the public as well as our employees to donate to approximately 25 different local initiatives at www.brucepowertoydrive.com. We hope to reach a goal of $55,000 to be distributed to nearly 25 local toy/hamper drives in Bruce, Grey and Huron counties, women’s shelters across three counties, and SON communities/women’s shelters.
Remember that every act of generosity makes a difference. Please reach out to the food bank or charitable organization of your choice and give if you’re able.
