Partners in Mission Food Bank has been serving the Kingston community since 1984, and Spring Food Blitz has been one of the charity’s biggest food drives and fundraiser since day one.
According to the Food Bank, Saturday’s one-day event has been vital to the food bank in its fight against food insecurity.
Volunteers spread out to 11 grocery stores around the city to collect much-needed food and donations.
read more:
Kingston, Ontario.Food service feeling pressured
“Last year was a record year for us,” says Dan Irwin, executive director of Partners at Mission Food Bank.
“We have helped over 7,200 people, a 6.6% increase over last year at the end of March this year. We helped 3,409 people in March alone.”
Rising food prices are a major reason why more people are turning to food banks to feed themselves and their families.
The food bank has set a goal of 35,000 pounds of food for the one-day event. The success of Food Blitz is a key factor in the ability of the Partners in Mission Food Bank to meet the needs of the community during the summer months.
Demand has remained the same, but donations have traditionally slowed.
“Everybody’s busy with vacations, cottages, etc., so we try to jump on it,” says Irwin.
Altogether, more than 120 volunteers reached out from local businesses, high schools and service organizations such as the Rotary Club of Kingston.
“I cringe every time I go to the grocery store these days,” says Empire Life volunteer Kathleen Vance.
“But it’s nice to be able to afford what you need and what you want to buy. Not many people can afford it these days.”
Most important is the ongoing support from individual community members who donate to support the work of the food bank.
read more:
A new food distribution facility opens in Kingston, Ontario.
Connie Ball, a regular food bank donor, said:
“So in addition to these additional calls for support from the organization, we are making monthly donations.”
Whether it’s a one-time donation or a monthly donation, food bank stakeholders know they’re helping keep over 1,600 families in the Kingston area getting healthy food every month. ,I am grateful.
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
