The rain did not dampen the spirits of all those involved in the annual Food Drive to support food banks on the Sunshine Coast. The Sunshine Coast Food Bank, a program under the umbrella of Sunshine Coast Community Services Society, received over 12,000 pounds of food along with close to $1,000 in financial contributions from the catchment area from Browning Road to Mercer Road. A dozen volunteers at the food bank received the food collected by Burns Matkin and his dedicated team, which also went around and dropped off bags to households all over the Coast, assisted by the Rotary Club of Sechelt and a number of food bank volunteers.
This cooperative effort reflects how this community cares about each other. The generosity of the community is very much appreciated by those who attend the food bank. Food bank workers get to know many of the participants and their individual circumstances that have brought them to the food bank. Volunteers are very considerate, respectful and helpful to everyone who comes to supplement their pantry. For many, their pride and dignity are very much affected and volunteers take the time to reassure them that life brings challenges to all of us. The food bank is there to give them a hand, providing food to the homeless shelter when called upon as well as providing food to the Breakfast for Kids program and the after-school program at Chatelech where students can get food to put in the backpack to minimize any attention and provide them food to go home with some nourishment.
This month alone the Sunshine Coast Food Bank has seen 27 registrations. On Sept. 18, the food bank served 95 households that made up 218 individuals, 75 of them children. This took place in two hours with five volunteers taking care of everyone. May we come together in ways that will address food security in new and creative ways that lead to shrinking this cycle into more sustainable models.
If you would like to learn more or be a volunteer at the food bank, please contact the office. The food bank is open for service Tuesday and Wednesday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and again on Wednesdays from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Workers are available to receive product Monday to Thursday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
– Norm Blair, Food Security Lead, Sunshine Coast Community Services Society
