by Sylene Argent
The holiday season can certainly spark the spirit of giving in many. Those in a position to give this holiday season may want to support the local food banks, but may be unsure how they can do so or what they should provide.
The Essex Area Food Bank is located in the gymnasium at Essex United Church. Currently, it is in need of a number of items to help the individuals and families it serves, including canned chili, canned stew, any flavour of pre-packaged side dish packs, canned ravioli, gelatin desserts, any kind of salad dressings, tuna, pancake mix and syrup, sloppy joe mix, stuffing, cereal, any kind of ground beef meal makers, and pudding cups.
Non food items it is also in need of include toilet paper and any kind of cleaning products.
Those wanting to forward a donation can do so at the drop-off location anytime, which is located at the back of the building. Volunteers empty the drop-off area daily.
Cash donations are also greatly appreciated.
Gerry Belanger, Coordinator for the Essex Area Food Bank, is always grateful for the community’s support in helping local individuals and families facing economic hardships.
Major Jim Hann of the Essex Salvation Army said its Food Bank is always looking for canned vegetables and canned proteins, such as tuna, ham, salmon. These items are provided to every family using the Salvation Army’s Food Bank.
The Salvation Army Food Bank could also use regular-sized boxes of breakfast cereals. The larger boxes are too big for the majority of its clients. It is also preferred that the cereals are low in sugar and geared to the liking of adults.
With Christmas around the corner, the Salvation Army is also looking for toys for youth, in addition to items or gift cards (preferably able to be used at multiple stores or outlets with a lot of variety) that would be geared for teenagers. Gift cards are also needed for grocery stores as the Salvation Army Food Bank is planning to provide one to each family it serves.
Donations to the Salvation Army Food Bank can be dropped off during office hours, which is Tuesday to Friday, from 9am to 2pm. Those wanting to give can also call (519) 776-4628 to arrange a drop-off time.
Gift cards, Hann added, can also be dropped off in the Christmas Kettles, which are currently being manned at No Frills and Foodland by volunteers. Counter kettles are also located at Stepping Out, and Schinkels’ Meat Market.
The Salvation Army is looking for volunteers to man kettles for the week of December 20 at the Walmart in Amherstburg. He said volunteers must be double vaccinated.
Between its Kettle and Letter Campaigns, the Essex Salvation Army is looking to raise $80,000, which helps fund its programming for its Community Family Services for the entire year.