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Ed Giles of the Salvation Army food bank in Port Elgin

Every month, Ed Giles watches as the demand on the Food Bank in Port Elgin increases. 

Under the umbrella of the Salvation Army, the Food Bank continues to see a growing need among families and seniors.  In June and July, according to Giles, there were approximately 18 families using the free service but in the month of November the count was up to 61 families and rising.

"One of the segments that we see increasing are seniors," says Giles.  "There are more of them on fixed income who are beginning to rely on the food bank because they simply can't make their dollars stretch anymore with everything going up."

The Food Bank is open for donations on Tuesdays and Thursdays except now during the holiday season when it is open five days a week.

A member of the Ontario Association of Food Banks and available through the '211 phone resource', the Port Elgin branch also has limited space for frozen vegetables and meat, although the main focus is on non-perishable foodstuffs.

"We are fortunate that we also have stores such as Legault's Independent Grocers and Foodland behind the Food Bank," adds Giles.  "Customers can donate bags of groceries that the store fills for us and then they are simply put into hampers."

Many users of the Food Bank are referred by organizations such as women's shelters and various churches.  "Although we have many referrals," Giles says, "anyone can use the facility.  They can simply call us and make an appointment so that we can look at their circumstances and go from there."

With Christmas just around the corner, December 16th will be a big donation day in Port Elgin.  In the afternoon from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., the Bull radio will be at Legault's Independent Grocers for a food drive and, then that night, there will be a second food drive at the Winterhawks Hockey team's home game at The PLEX.

"We'll have major packing days on December 13, 14 and 15," says Giles, "and we can always use helping hands by way of volunteers."

For more information on how to use the Food Bank, how to donate or how to volunteer call:  519-389-3942 OR email:  salarmy.pefs@bmts.com

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Tuesday, December 13, 2011