Donations to the Battlefords District Food and Resource Centre are always a good thing, but there’s a way for that donation to pack a double punch this Christmas season.
That way is to shop locally, and provide those locally-produced products to the food bank which can then be distributed by the Empty Stocking Fund to families as part of their Christmas hampers.
That idea dawned on Chris Odishaw of Battleford Furniture when he was down at the food bank recently to discuss ideas about how to help. What surprised him was the amount of food the Empty Stocking Fund obtains that is made outside the area.
A lightbulb went off in Odishaw’s head and he phoned a friend, Stuart Southgate, who has honeybees and who could supply locally-produced honey for the food hampers.
“I bought 450 one-Kg containers of honey to put into these food hampers,” said Odishaw.
Those containers arrived and were dropped off at the food bank offices on 101st Street last Thursday. The honey will be safely stored inside until the items can be put into the Empty Stocking Fund hampers for distribution, in time for Christmas.
Odishaw has also been buying pizza for the workers at the food bank this holiday season. He said he spoke to Erin Katerynych, executive director, about the idea of spending time and effort to support the local economy.
“We as local businesses, and anyone donating, support the people less fortunate,” said Odishaw, “but why not be two-fold and consider supporting local businesses?”
Odishaw also pointed out that there are lots of studies done showing that local-made honey from local bees is healthier for the local population.
He thinks others in the community should consider the idea of turning to local businesses for food they could then donate to the less fortunate.
“Let’s start supporting our fellow neighbours and the people who produce food,” said Odishaw, who added people should “think about doing that a little more often.”
