PICKERING-- Rae Coulter, director of the St. Paul's on the hill Community Food Band, with some of the empty books and shelves. With Thanksgiving coming soon she's hoping those shelves and boxes will be filled. October 3 2008
St. Paul's on-the-Hill Community Food Bank's annual drive is underway
Oct 07, 2008 - 02:09 PM
PICKERING -- Another Thanksgiving is near, and volunteers at the St. Paul's On-the-Hill Community Food Bank are working as hard as ever to help feed the hungry in Ajax and Pickering.
"The September numbers are almost even to last year's," said Rae Coulter, the food bank's director.
More than 2,100 Ajax and Pickering families used the food bank last year, which represents more than 6,200 people. Volunteers work hard all year, collecting, sorting and giving food to hungry families, but they put an emphasis on collecting food each October for the Thanksgiving Drive, which is currently underway. Although volunteers enjoy helping the community, Ms. Coulter is sad that what was intended as a temporary fix is still running 18 years later.
More than 2,100 Ajax and Pickering families used the food bank last year, which represents more than 6,200 people. Volunteers work hard all year, collecting, sorting and giving food to hungry families, but they put an emphasis on collecting food each October for the Thanksgiving Drive, which is currently underway. Although volunteers enjoy helping the community, Ms. Coulter is sad that what was intended as a temporary fix is still running 18 years later.
"We're helping someone that just needs help," Ms. Coulter said. "Welfare is just not enough for them. All we give them is just enough to tide them over from cheque to cheque."
Garnet Ferguson, along with his wife Gloria, has been volunteering since 2003, and he sees how much the quantity of food donations fluctuates.
Garnet Ferguson, along with his wife Gloria, has been volunteering since 2003, and he sees how much the quantity of food donations fluctuates.
"Now we've got all kinds of empties and we're looking for more food," he said, gesturing toward the empty shelves.
Ms. Coulter said each year the food bank's shelves get barer around Thanksgiving. The food items it especially needs are: kids snacks; cookies; crackers; peanut butter; tea; canned fruit; soup; and, cereal. And the food bank has to pay about $2,000 each month in rent so it welcomes donations just to stay on its feet.
Ms. Coulter said each year the food bank's shelves get barer around Thanksgiving. The food items it especially needs are: kids snacks; cookies; crackers; peanut butter; tea; canned fruit; soup; and, cereal. And the food bank has to pay about $2,000 each month in rent so it welcomes donations just to stay on its feet.
"Money's good," she said. "That's what keeps us going." She added financial donations also help buy fresh milk and eggs for the clients.
She said to please ensure dates are good when donating food items. At the time the story was written, a can of soup was donated with an expiry date of 1993.
The food drive will run until the week after Thanksgiving, but the food bank accepts donations year round. Non-perishable food items can be donated at: any grocery store in Pickering; both
She said to please ensure dates are good when donating food items. At the time the story was written, a can of soup was donated with an expiry date of 1993.
The food drive will run until the week after Thanksgiving, but the food bank accepts donations year round. Non-perishable food items can be donated at: any grocery store in Pickering; both
Sobey's stores in Ajax; Pickering and Ajax fire halls; 1537 Pickering Pkwy. (open each Tuesday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to noon for donations and 10 a.m. to noon for pick-up, but closed each first full week of the month); and, St. Paul's On-the-Hill Anglican Church at 882 Kingston Rd.
For more information call 905-839-9537.
