NEWS RELEASE
BARRIE FOOD BANK
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Our goals: The Barrie Food Bank is looking to raise $350,000 and 200,000 pounds of food with its 2022 holiday campaign.
The holiday campaign kicks off on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, and runs until the end of December. The focus is on collecting both financial donations and food donations, as well as toiletries, diapers, and feminine hygiene products.
The holiday campaign helps keep the shelves stocked throughout winter. Financial donations are used to purchase products like meat, milk, eggs, and vegetables.
With 3,500 individuals relying on the food bank each month, the food bank has expanded hours and added volunteers to keep up with the need. Thirty-five per cent of individuals receiving food are children. The number of seniors coming to the food bank has quadrupled since 2019. The high cost of rent, food, and gas has driven more people on low wages or fixed incomes to seek food support.
Most-needed items: Some of the most-needed food items are canned meats, cereal, nut butters, canned soups, stews, Ensure or similar supplements, and healthy school snacks.
Financial donations: Online donations can be made at BarrieFoodBank.org or cheques can be mailed to P.O. Box 145, Barrie, Ontario, L4M 4S9, or delivered to 42 Anne St. S., Unit 2, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tax receipts are provided.
Drop-off points: Local grocery stores: Zehrs, Loblaws, No Frills, Metro, FreshCo, Food Basics, Sobeys, Wholesale Club. Many stores are selling pre-packed bags to make it easy for you.
You can also drop off items at the Barrie Food Bank at 42 Anne St. S., behind Pioneer Family Pools. (Entrance for food donations is located at the end of Army, Navy, Airforce Drive.) Food donations are accepted Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
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