The shelves are bare at Share Family and Community Services and the Tri-City service agency is putting the call out for supplies so hundreds of local families don't go hungry.
In fact, according to Share, food stores laid up since Christmas will completely run out in the weeks ahead. Here's a list of important foods that are needed to go into hampers to support at least 375 families every week:
canned fruit, vegetables, fish and meat;
canned meals (such as stewed beans);
pasta and pasta sauce;
peanut butter;
juice;
granola bars;
rice;
and Kraft Dinner.
Food can be dropped in designated bins at any grocery store in the Tri-Cities or at Share's food bank at 2615 Clarke St. in Port Moody (at the rear of the building). Financial donations are also needed and can be made by calling 604-540-9161 or visiting www.sharesociety.ca.
Share hampers provide food for 375 families a week and 37% of its clients are children. It takes 5,000 pounds of food to fill hampers weekly and Share relies entirely on the support of the community to provide for families in need.
CATALYST
Meanwhile, Share has put a call out for proposals to develop a new model of food bank called the Catalyst Centre, which would provide housing assistance, literacy support, skills training and other services under one roof in addition to food bank services. The new model will be developed over the next six months, with funding from Vancity, and would mean food bank users would get help developing a plan to build their skills and knowledge towards independence. More information is available at www.sharesociety.ca.
