July 08, 2010

Food banks make a difference

By: The Chatham Daily News

What is a food bank? It is a place where food is collected in order to give to those in need to help sustain themselves or their family for a short period of time.

Canada’s first food bank was chartered in January of 1981. At that time, it was formed as a temporary solution to a problem.

No one foresaw that food banks would become permanent organizations in our communities.

In Chatham-Kent there are eight food banks — four locations served by The Salvation Army: Wallaceburg, Chatham, Blenheim, and Ridgetown; Outreach for Hunger, Chatham; Dresden Community Church; Wheatley Baptist Church and the Tilbury Information & H.E.L.P. Centre.

Chatham-Kent food banks are already seeing alarming statistics in the first half of 2010 … an overall increase of 30 per cent in the number of families requiring assistance with emergency food support — well over the increase that we saw in all of 2009.

This is a disturbing trend and one that is creating hardship for food banks.

They are challenged to stock enough food and personal needs (toilet tissue, feminine hygiene products and diapers, to name a few) for those who choose to ask for help — our neighbors, friends and family. Over one third of those using food banks in Ontario are children.

No one wants to be in a position where they are unable to adequately provide for themselves or their family. The high rate of unemployment, rising utility and food costs, and the overall cost of daily living contribute to the suffering that so many are experiencing.

The implementation of the HST may also place a further burden on those struggling to make ends meet.

Although we are a community rich in agriculture, a significant amount of produce is turned under every year because of a lack of a system where surpluses can be harvested and donated to food banks.

The Ontario Association of Food Banks is supporting the Farm Tax Credit bill which would provide farmers a tax credit on these donated surpluses. You can help by writing to your local MPP and asking them to support this important bill which will allow food banks access to more local, fresh and nutritious produce.

In the past, Max (not his real name), a seven year old child who has a passion to help others, has assisted his local food bank by donating pennies that he gathered.

As his birthday party approached, he prepared his invitations as usual, but instead of gifts, he asked his friends to donate non-perishable food items to help the food bank.

Thanks to all of our donors, young and old. You are making a difference and helping Chatham-Kent to be a better place.

For more information on Chatham- Kent food banks please contact Brenda LeClair at Outreach for Hunger 519-351-8381 or Beth Reeve at The Salvation Army 519-354-1430.