Fall is often a challenging time for Canora’s Filling the Gap Food Bank, and this year is no different, said Pastor Mavis Watson, who has been running Filling the Gap as a volunteer for about the past six years.
After buying back-to-school supplies for their children, needy families often find they don’t have enough money for food, Watson explained. And then Christmas is not that far away, which is also one of the busiest times of the year for Filling the Gap. In January it often seems that families spend all their money on Christmas, and don’t have enough left over for food.
Watson said for most of the year she gets an average of six to 10 food hamper requests in a month, but during busier times she could get that many in a week.
She said the need for help has remained relatively constant compared to other years, but corporate and individual giving has decreased noticeably.
She said just recently she received six hamper requests at the same time, but also received a monetary donation from an individual which was a great help in looking after those hampers. Watson remains confident that Canora residents will rise to the challenges ahead with more of the same.
“People have been so good about giving in the past for people in need, and we hope they will continue to give in the future. We greatly appreciate their help.”
Presently the food bank’s needs include canned foods such as meat, beans, vegetables and fruit. They are in need of donations of coffee and tea.
Breakfast donations would be very welcome, including cereal, jam, bread, sugar and fruit juice.
At this time of year, the food bank welcomes donations of garden produce, especially items such as carrots and potatoes which tend to last longer.
She reminds potential donors to check expiry dates on food items, to make sure they have not expired.
Non-food items that are needed include toilet paper, dish soap, laundry soap, toothpaste, deodorant and shampoo.
Monetary donations are always welcome, because that allows Watson to go out and purchase whatever happens to be in need at the time.
Watson is very appreciative of the support of Canora Ambulance, which has done a Christmas toy drive for the last several years.
She said she has never had to turn away anyone at Christmas due to lack of food and money, and she hopes donations will be sufficient this year to keep that perfect record going.
