THUNDER BAY -- The Regional Food Distribution Association is asking for help as people and donations take a summer break.
Executive director Volker Kromm said every year around this time volunteers take vacation time, leaving the regional food bank short-handed. With people taking time off and leaving town, donations are also in short supply as the RFDA has run out of many basic items like fruit, vegetables, pastas, canned meats and peanut butter.
But the need remains as the RFDA still needs to serve around 14,000 people every month.
"The people most affected by poverty are not vacationing," Kromm said.
"This is the time of the year where our warehouse is quite empty and we're looking for help."
That help can come in the form of donated food, cash or volunteer hours, hit especially hard as the RFDA can't rely on student volunteers during the summer.
"In the summertime we have a bit of a void," Kromm said.
Food is welcome as it will go almost instantly to someone in need. Money allows the RFDA to buy in bulk that sees every dollar become nearly three because of savings they see through bulk purchases. And the warehouse can always use extra hands to help sort food.
The RFDA will also be looking for help later this summer when the organization's various gardens need to be harvested.
