The Barrhead Food Bank has seen a drop-off in donations with the warm weather.
Garden produce, which is a highly anticipated item at the Food Bank in the summer, isn’t ready yet so those types of donations are lacking right now.
“We are seeing a lot of new clients or clients who have not had to access support in a year or two are now back accessing services,” Ray Whiting, Food Bank Coordinator, commented.
People who are currently using the Food Bank averages twenty households a week.
“With a decrease in donations we are purchasing necessities and groceries that we give out at the food bank right now from cash donations we have received,” remarked Whiting.
“We are always looking to get a bit of an edge on getting donations coming in.”
Donations are accepted at the FCSS office, 5103-51 street in Barrhead, everyday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm.
If someone is need, they can call the Food Bank number 780-284-7390 to make an appointment.
Each hamper is customized to the needs of the person when possible, depending on what is available in the Food Bank inventory that week.
Considerations for food allergies, food challenges, or any other specific considerations are analyzed while the hamper requests are completed.
The Food Bank is open Thursdays from 10 am to 3 pm.
The hampers put together can be picked up at that time.
Volunteers fill the hours of operation at the Food Bank on Thursdays distributing the hampers.
Cash donations, groceries, and toiletries are always welcomed.
Cash donations enable the Food Bank to make discounted purchased at local stores because of partnerships with businesses in support of this great cause.
The main items that are of the greatest need are syrup, kraft dinner, canned fruits, and canned vegetables.
Donations of garden vegetables are welcomed and appreciated by hamper recipients.
Please consider sharing your produce crops with the Food Bank.
Other items that are always needed are peanut butter, canned soup, noodles, pancake mix, granola bars, rice, cereal, canned meat, condiments, oatmeal, and pasta sauce.
Toiletries like shampoo, toilet paper, and soap are nice-to-haves - think about what items you use every day, and those things would likely be good donation selections.
Barrhead is ahead of other communities by offering weekly food bank service where other communities only have access to Food Banks once a month.
