The number of people the Barrie Food Bank helps is continuing to grow at an extremely rapid pace, which is why the local organization needs the community’s support now more than ever.
“The number of people we are seeing coming to us for help just continues to increase month over month," said executive director Sharon Palmer. "If we look where we’re at year-over-year, we are up over 94 per cent in terms of the number of individuals we are supporting.
"It’s really astounding growth we are seeing, so we are looking for continued support from the community to help us meet the need,” she added.
The local food bank officially kicked off its annual Thanksgiving Food Drive on Monday, and has set a goal to raise 200,000 pounds of food and $200,000 by the end of October.
The most needed food items include baby formula, children’s lunch snacks, cereal, canned tuna, chicken or ham, peanut butter, soups and stews, protein shakes, feminine products, and diapers (sizes 4-6).
“The financial contributions allow us to buy things like dairy products, meat, produce whenever we need it and to fill in the gaps on products when we run out," Palmer said. "Where we look for support with (food donations) is with the staples — canned goods, rice, pasta — that are easy for people to give and have a long shelf life. They really keep us going year-round.”
Last month, the food bank supported more than 5,600 individuals with the monthly grocery program. They provide this program, as well as emergency food services for people without a home and support eight Little Food Pantries in the community.
The Thanksgiving food drive will run until Oct. 30. Donations can be dropped at any of the collection bins at local Zehrs, Loblaws, No Frills, Metro, FreshCo, Food Basics, Sobeys, and Wholesale Club.
Non-perishable food and financial donations can also be dropped off the Barrie Food Bank, which is located at 42 Anne St. S., Unit 2. The entrance for food donations is located at the end of Army, Navy, Airforce Drive. These donations can be dropped off anytime between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
