**Updated: The Fundraising barbecue that was scheduled for Sept. 5 has been postponed and will be rescheduled for a future date. More information to come.
BONNYVILLE – The need continues to grow when it comes to the food bank in Bonnyville.
In recent months, the food bank operating out of the Bonnyville Friendship Centre is regularly seeing new clients accessing its services as more and more families struggle to put enough food on the table.
The increased cost of groceries and living expenses is having an impact in the community, reflected by the growing demand for food bank hampers.
With the school year now getting underway, the need to make sure children are not going to school without food is paramount for staff at the Bonnyville Friendship Centre.
In August, the Friendship Centre made a request to the public sharing that the food bank was facing a critical shortage.
Janet Gobert, the director of operations for the Bonnyville Friendship Centre, said the factors contributing to the shortage are two-fold. The local food bank is seeing a spike in demand paired with a drop in external funding sources.
“We're not seeing a lot of funding opportunities that we may have even had last year or two years ago. So that's where we are seeing an issue,” said Gobert.
However, the community and local businesses have responded to the Friendship Centre’s call for help. But with hampers of food going out to more and more homes every day, there remains a need for continued support.
“The community has definitely gone to bat for us,” said Gobert. “We do still require more donations. And again, it has to do with the fact that we are seeing such an exponential increase in people trying to access the food bank services.”
What the food bank is urgently seeking right now are items that can be used for children's lunches, such as juice boxes, pudding packs, crackers, canned meals and granola bars. Other needed items include rice, canned fruit, canned meat, shelf-life milk, canned milk or powdered milk, peanut butter, jam and breakfast cereal.
“Children going to bed hungry – that shouldn't be happening,” said Gobert, adding, “It seems that every time that we do a call-out, we have individual community members and businesses that step up and they ask us ‘What do we need?’ and they find a way to get it for us.”
Over the last few weeks several local businesses have worked together to fill trailers with donated food, and on Sept. 5 ATCO will be hosting a fundraising barbecue with all money raised going to the food bank.
“ATCO has donated everything, they are sponsoring this barbecue, it's going to be held outside of the men's shelter,” Gobert explained.
The barbecue will be held at 5001–48 Street, behind the Red Apple Store. The barbecue will run from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. For $10, attendees will get their choice of burger or hotdog, a bag of chips and a pop.
Masquerade Fundraising Gala
Another way to support the food bank will take place on Oct. 27. The Friendship Centre is hosting a Masquerade Fundraising Gala at the Bonnyville and District Centennial Centre with all funds raised supporting the food bank.
“People have already been booking their tables, so I think it will be a success. Now we do have 77 tables that need to be sold,” noted Gobert.
For tickets, tables or to become a sponsor, call 780-826-3374.
**Updated: The Fundraising barbecue that was scheduled for Sept. 5 has been postponed and will be rescheduled for a future date. More information to come.
