THUNDER BAY – The Regional Food Distribution Association’s executive director said this year was more ‘in between’ in terms of what they have received in the past year's.
“In some years we've had a high of about 13 tons and this year we're a little bit over 9.9 tons,” Volker Kromm said.
The amount received this year shows a bit of a drop given that the need is much greater than in previous years, he said.
“We're still very happy with what we've received,” he added.
Kromm said the food is distributed to food bank members and feeding programs in the city.
“Some of it may get into the region but most of it will be here," he said. “It will help us over the next few weeks as we ramp into the giving season. This is really a critical time for us to get us started on the on the demands that are coming out of Thanksgiving in preparation for the holidays.”
Some grocery stores still have bins set up for donations, and the RFDA always accepts donations at 570 Syndicate Ave. S.
Kromm said the demand is always great but it also changes throughout the time of year.
“You're coming through the summer season and some people rely on gardens," he said. "It's just a different demand as kids go back to school – there's more lunches, there’s a greater demand. The demands are always different and we're trying to accommodate as many of them as we can. It's getting tougher, food prices are higher and so people can donate less.”
Kromm said with prices of groceries increasing, it’s becoming even harder for people to donate.
“As maybe the inflation subsides and the interest rates come down, people will be able to feel freer to invest and be able to donate, have more discretionary funds," he said. "It's tough. I have to say as a working person, we all have to watch our pennies."
Kromm encourages people to think about Christmas as a giving season and to make donating a regular family event.
“Give, if you can, pick up a few extra items at the grocery stores or at the markets and we'd be more than happy to receive them,” he said.
Patty Smith has been volunteering for the RFDA since 2019. She said helping out at the food drive each year gives her immense satisfaction.
“It's good exercise, I feel like I'm helping the community, I've met lots of people here and I just really enjoy it,” she said.
Smith said this is a really good community that cares a lot about the people.
“What I noticed today, throughout the stores they have the different bags that you can purchase and it used to be a bag filled with maybe potatoes, fruit, pasta, can of tuna fish, that sort of thing. Now there's maybe three things," said Smith. “It just goes to show how expensive groceries have gotten, and you can only imagine what that does for the people that are trying to eat.”
