Need for food doubles, food bank shelves bare

Easter is coming up, and the number of clients depending on Newark Neighbours to feed themselves and their families, not only for the holiday but over the coming months, has doubled, says food bank manager Cindy Grant.

And the shelves are bare.

She has 70 clients in her book requiring help, representing 128 people, 35 of whom are children. That’s more than double what the food bank is accustomed to feeding, she says.

The need had been creeping up during the pandemic, but now, “with the high price of food, gas and just about everything else, people are struggling. They’re really having a hard time. One young couple with a little one, the mom has gone back to school, and the dad has a full-time job, but at minimum wage. People with full-time work, on minimum wage, are living so close to the bone they just can’t manage.”

There were so many generous donations at Christmas, the mountains of food made it seem like they would never run out, says Grant, “but the food is gone, we have Easter hampers to fill, and we really need to get stocked up for the coming months.”

The Niagara Lions are holding a food drive April 16, at Hendriks Independent on Queen Street and Phil’s Independent in
Virgil, and that will help to stock up after Easter, “but I don’t see any other food drives happening,” says Grant.

“We really need this wonderful community to once again show their generosity,” she said. 

“We are pleased to see food coming in, and people are again showing their generosity, but we need a lot more.”

Children will be receiving candy for their Easter baskets, she says, thanks to Hendriks, who has already dropped off two truckloads of food, including a big box of candy that will be enough for all the families with children.

The food bank also welcomes cash donations, which helps them buy what isn’t donated, says Grant, and to accommodate those with special diets.

Newark generally banks on giving away turkeys and hams — each family gets one or the other, but more prefer turkeys.

Also high on their list of food items they need are the extras that go with a holiday dinner — including turkey stuffing mix, cranberry sauce, cans of pineapple to go with the ham, tins of gravy, and canned juices. 

Newark buys potatoes, onions and carrots, and volunteers are thankful for Jim Walker of Walker’s Country Market, who will drop off fresh pies, “literally made that morning,” hot out of the oven, to add to the Easter hampers at the last minute before they’re delivered April 14.

For a list of food that is needed all year long, visit https://www.newarkneighbours.ca/donate-to-the-food-bank

The Newark Neighbours Thrift Shop will be closed for the Easter holiday, from Wednesday, April 13 until Tuesday, April 19.