THUNDER BAY - With summer nearing an end, local charitable organizations are feeling the slowdown that comes with the season and turning to the public to help replenish food stocks.
The Thunder Bay Shelter House and the Regional Food Distribution Association are appealing to the community for donations to help refill nearly empty shelves.
“The summertime we do decrease in volunteers and we decrease in donations,” said Amber Prairie, development officer with Thunder Bay Shelter House. “We find in the summertime a lot of things slow down, so we have to try and work a little bit harder to get people to see the need.”
Shelter House is looking for items such as non-perishable food like ketchup, canned meat, canned vegetables, and other staples used to feed the more than 700 people utilizing Shelter House services every day. It is also looking for donations of personal hygiene products, such as deodorant, razors, and soap.
According to Prairie, while donations do tend to slow down in the summer, the need can also increase.
“We do get a mix of transient people who come in from different provinces or across Canada,” she said. “We are always at full capacity, so the need is always there. It always stays the same, whether it is the winter time or the summer time.”
“We never turn anybody away, so we do use what we have to feed everybody we can,” Prairie continued. “But we don’t always feel like we give enough or the best quality of food. We really want to make sure we are giving quality food to everybody.”
Volker Kromm, executive director with the RFDA, said this summer has been particularly difficult with food stocks quickly dwindling.
“This year has been probably the worst we ever had,” he said. “June and July were so bleak. But that is kind of reflective with what is happening right across the country.”
In order to ensure that no one goes hungry, the RFDA is looking to partner with producers and farmers to find larger donations of food.
Kromm added that every summer can be challenging with many people on vacation and not necessarily thinking about donating food or money to local charities. But he expects that to change soon as the giving season nears.
“That is what we expect, but for the rest of us during the summer months when people are not thinking about food or away on vacation, this really hurts us,” he said. “That is why we always say open up your gardens, open up your cupboards and see what you can do to help. There are food banks right across the city here, so there are a lot of people who are hurting.”
Shelter House will be hosting a fall food drive on September 29 and 30. Donations are accepted at the Thunder Bay Shelter House at 420 George Street and the RFDA office at 570 Syndicate Ave. South. For more information, visit the Thunder Bay Shelter House and RFDA websites.
