The food bank in Wiarton is running low on supplies, and with nearly bare shelves, they are in need of donations.
The Bruce Peninsula Community Food Bank, which is managed by the Wiarton Salvation Army serves an average of 2,500 kg of food per month to about 250 of the most vulnerable members of the Bruce Peninsula and surrounding areas.
Wiarton Salvation Army Community and Family Services Manager Roni Delleman says in an interview with Bayhsore Broadcasting News, “That’s a lot of empty shelves we have right now to give out that much food.”
She notes, “It’s normal to have lower inventory this time of year, but this year, it’s more excessively low right now than usual.”
Delleman believes the increasing cost of living has reduced the number of donations, explaining, “I think before, when people had extra money, they would pick up a jar of peanut butter to donate to the food bank but I think now, people can’t afford their own groceries, let alone donating to the food bank.”
Delleman says they need cereal, peanut butter, pasta sauce, canned tomatoes, canned fruit, juice, pancake mix, crackers, cookies, apple sauce and granola bars.
“They’re kind of our big items right now,” say Delleman
They also provide new hygiene products like razors, shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, says Delleman, adding, “We always, always, need those items.”
Delleman says the food bank is also in need of monetary donations which they use to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables from a wholesaler. “So we always need funds to provide those kind of items,” says Delleman.
You can donate to the Bruce Peninsula Community food bank between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday to Friday at the Salvation Army church building at 576 Edward Street in Wiarton.
