The 96.1 myFM All Hands on Deck Food Drive returned to locations on both sides of the Ottawa River on Thursday, bringing in crucial donations ahead of the back-to-school season.
Community members showed up in numbers to continue a string of much-appreciated support for the Renfrew and District Food Bank at Chris and Tanya’s No Frills and Renfrew Metro, as well as for Bouffe Pontiac at Shawville’s Giant Tiger.
Carol Fisher, a volunteer with the Renfrew Food Bank, says the overwhelming amount of food, cash, and toiletries donated on Thursday is crucial, as she and the other volunteers help people in need break the stigma around using food banks and other supports.
Renfrew Food Bank board member Pat Quilty agrees, pointing out that many people in our community are only a couple of lost paychecks away from facing food insecurity.
He says that makes the generosity the public demonstrates on a regular basis that much more important.
The use of food banks in the Ottawa Valley and Pontiac region continues to rise as food prices are spiking across the region and all of Canada.
Bouffe Pontiac’s general manager, Kim Laroche, says our local food banks have to work even harder to keep their shelves stocked.
Fisher adds that rising food prices unfortunately mean a growing client base that they serve every Tuesday, including everyone from young families to seniors and all walks of life.
Bouffe Pontiac reports that they received 205 kilograms in food donations plus another $1266.10 in cash on Thursday. The Renfrew and District Food Bank were also successful, filling seven bins full of food and collecting $3,276.95 from their two drop-off locations in town.
(written by Kasey Egan)
