Perth and Lanark surpass last year’s totals for local food banks

LAURIE WEIR

Smiths Falls will host a major stop in the RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food campaign on Saturday, as local grocery stores strive to surpass previous years’ totals. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Jonsson’s Your Independent, The Garden Market, Giant Tiger, and Food Basics will collect donations to support the Smiths Falls and District Community Food Bank.

The campaign, now in its third week, launched in Almonte on Nov. 9, before heading to Perth and Lanark last weekend. Perth’s Barnabe’s Your Independent Grocer, Perth Metro, Foodsmiths, and Giant Tiger hosted collections for the Good Food Bank at The Table Community Food Centre, while Lanark’s Civitan Hall welcomed donations for the Lanark Highlands Food Pantry.

Wendy Quarrington, manager of Perth’s Good Food Bank, described last Saturday as “amazing,” thanks to the efforts of local store owners and volunteers. However, she acknowledged the increasing challenges food banks face. “I’m down 35 per cent of what I can purchase to support them,” she said. “The people who are coming, the little bit of money that they do have at the end of the month, also are purchasing 35 per cent less.”

The strain is compounded by a growing number of clients. “There are also 20 per cent more clients this year,” Quarrington added. “All those things combined, this is the worst year that we have struggled to make sure that we are able to provide for the people of our community.”

Despite expectations of a 25 to 28 per cent decrease in donations due to inflation, Perth collected over 54,000 lbs of food and more than $15,000 in cash. “The numbers were up a little over last year, which is more than amazing,” Quarrington said.

Jim Wright, a campaign organizer, praised the town’s unwavering assistance. “It’s hard to find new words for the amazing support from the community of Perth,” he said.

Quarrington highlighted the critical role donations play. “Odds are, if people of the community are food insecure, their housing is also insecure,” she said. “Every year, the community comes through, and that’s pretty overwhelming.”

The Perth Blue Wings Jr. B hockey team added excitement with their third annual cart race, filling four shopping carts with food in 3:45 minutes and raising $3,600. “It’s a great way to get everybody involved in the store,” said Metro owner Charlene Cadieux. “They knew the items that were in need at the food bank and that was the goal – to stock the shelves a little bit more this time of year.”

Cadieux and her partner Chris Demers have been part of the campaign since purchasing Metro seven years ago. “This community has taken such good care of us and welcomed us,” Cadieux said. “Every year, this community surpasses the goals and the challenge we put out there. We will match not just what we did at the store, but everywhere [the campaign] is collecting [on Saturday], up to a total of $7,500.”

Barnabe’s Your Independent Grocer has supported the drive for 15 years. They have donated a quarter-million pounds of food to the food bank, with 10,000 pounds donated on Saturday and a commitment of another 15,000 next year, according to owner Matthew Barnabe. “That’s 275,000 in 16 years. Every bit counts.”

For Quarrington, these partnerships make a huge difference. “Knowing that I can pick up the phone and call a grocery store owner when we are short on food takes the fear out of the year,” she said. “If I need something, and am not able to source it, to know that I can turn to people … true community champions.”

Smiths Falls is set to uphold its tradition tomorrow with proceeds to the Smiths Falls and District Community Food Bank.

Remaining Schedule

Saturday, Nov. 30
Elgin: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Gordanier Freshmart
In support of the Elgin Food Bank.
Westport: 12 to 4 p.m., at Kudrinko’s
In support of the Westport Food Bank.

Saturday, Dec. 7
Portland: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Portland LCBO and RBC.
In support of the Portland Food Bank.
Merrickville: 1 to 4 p.m., at the Merrickville Food Market.
In support of the Merrickville Lions Club Christmas Food Hamper Campaign.

Saturday, Dec. 14
Athens: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Athens Fresh Market.
In support of the Athens Food Bank.
Delta: 1 to 4 p.m. at the Delta Country Market.
In support of the Delta Food Bank