Thanksgiving weekend is an opportunity to help those less fortunate in Thunder Bay.
The Regional Food Distribution Association is bringing back its annual Harvest for Hunger food drive, which will hit 14 grocery stores across the city.
“It's the only real food drive that we put on ourselves, and it's kind of a kick off to the giving season,” said Brendan Carlin, the RFDA’s community services and sustainability manager. “The volunteers will be handing out leaflets that have our top 10 most wanted items. Those include things like canned soups, meats, and fruits [as well as] pasta, pasta sauce and peanut butter. So, anything that somebody can make a meal out of really is what we're looking for.”
The campaign launches on the heels of Ontario getting a D- in the inaugural poverty report from Food Banks Canada.
The report stated that more than 42 per cent of the population feels financially worse off as compared to last year.
Additionally, 18 per cent of respondents are currently coping with food insecurity, and almost one-third also said they have an inadequate standard of living.
Carlin was asked about donation exhaustion in the community.
“I’m sure [it’s out there but] you are seeing it through all charities, their donations are down because costs are up. [Therefore] the donors, as well as the people who are in poverty, have to make choices," he said. "And that sometimes includes not donating to the food bank or donating a little less. Our volunteers haven't experienced it, and we haven't had people say that they're exhausted necessarily, but you can tell that it's out there.”
He is hopeful that after the campaign is over, between 15 and 20 tons of food is donated along with $20,000.
Carlin mentioned that that output could last them into 2024.
Donations will also accepted at the Regional Food Distribution Association location on 570 South Syndicate Avenue or online here
