Raising a daughter with special needs on a disability pension wasn't always easy.
But Valerie says the help she got from the food bank in the form of groceries every two weeks helped get her through the months and years, and now the Tri-City senior is asking the community to give once again.
"Please help, the people on low income really need the help," said Valerie, who asked that her full name not be used.
As the summer heats up, the food bank run by Share Family and Community Services is running low and a campaign is being launched so folks like Valerie and her now-grown daughter can stretch their fixed income a few extra days.
Roxann MacDonald, Share's senior director of programs and services, said supplies from the winter months are now so depleted that the number of grocery items in small, medium and large hampers may have to be reduced.
"It gets limited," MacDonald said. "We have lots and lots of soup but we're out of rice."
Giving to the food bank is a tradition during the Christmas season but drops off when summer approaches. Share hopes with its summer food campaign — which begins Friday — people will remember to drop off an extra item at the grocery store or collect a box of food at their office, club or other location, then bring it to the PoMo warehouse.
"We particularly appreciate it this time of year," MacDonald said.
For Valerie, whose household is one of more than 800 in the Tri-Cities that benefit from the food bank, the cans, boxes and bottles of food are a godsend. Sometimes, a litre of milk left over from the Tiny Bundles program for moms and babies is slipped into her hamper. A package of wieners is another occasional treat.
"Please put the word out there: We appreciate it but Share could use more," she said.
One of the goals of this summer campaign is to encourage people to choose healthier options to give to the food bank. Donors should also note that food cannot be accepted on Wednesdays, and fresh produce, if available, should be dropped off on Tuesdays so it can be handed out when it is still fresh.
The food is stored at the Port Moody warehouse and food bank at 2615 Clarke St. and is also distributed to the Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam food banks.
While the number of food bank users is holding steady, the cost of food and housing means there are always people who need a hand. MacDonald encourages Tri-City residents to be generous to the food bank before heading away for their holiday.
"With a reminder and some encouragement," she said, "the community comes through."
WHAT'S NEEDED
• canned fruits and vegetables
• canned meats and fish
• cooking oil
• juice (no sugar added)
• lentils and beans (canned or dried)
• rice
• tomato sauce and paste
• pasta sauce
• whole grain pasta
• gluten-free items
• flour
• peanut butter
• Ensure or Glucerna (vanilla flavour)
• diapers (sizes 4 and 5)
