The Wikipedia definition of a food bank is: “A non-profit, charitable organization that distributes food to those having difficulty purchasing enough food to avoid hunger.”
Well, Hallowe’en is over and according to the stores and advertisements, Christmas Season is upon us. To some of us, this can include a big turkey dinner with all the trimmings, but alas, not all of us are in a position to do this on our own, we need a helping hand.
This is where the Barriere and District Food Bank Society (BDFBS) can help. We are now accepting applications for Christmas Hampers and ordering can be done by phone until Dec. 1. Please leave your name and phone number and one of our office staff will call you back and confirm your order. The hampers will be available for pickup or delivery on Dec. 17.
The BDFBS is open each Wednesday from 10 a.m. until 12 noon for food distribution, but phone messages are retrieved periodically throughout the week. For those unable to pick up their orders in person, delivery can be arranged. If you are phoning in an order for delivery, please do so before 10 a.m. as after that time we are extremely busy filling pick up orders.
Have you ever wondered what is entailed in order to make use of the food bank? The process is really very simple. If you are using our services for the first time, it is mandatory to attend in person. This is done in order to confirm residency and to know who you are. From then on, if you are in need of our delivery service you can just phone in your order. Whether taking your order over the phone or in person, have your Care Card Number ready and be prepared to answer a couple of personal questions and you are good to go. (As in the case of most charitable organizations, all information received is strictly confidential). You will be handed a paper with a list of the goods available, you circle what you need, hand the paper to a worker who will then fill your order, and that is all there is to it. Remember our coverage id from Little Fort to McLure.
Don’t forget about the fund raiser spaghetti dinner to be held on Nov. 1 at Sam’s Pizza and Rib House. Give mom a break from the kitchen and support a very worthwhile cause. See you there.
The BDFBS is always in need of donations and always need peanut butter and jam, fresh vegetables and fruit, and canned goods of all kinds. Sorry, we cannot accept home canning due to regulations. Don’t forget,we have food drop boxes in Barriere AG Foods and the Royal Canadian Legion, and money drop boxes in many area businesses.
According to “Hunger Count 2014”, in March of 2014, the number of people who received food from a food bank in British Columbia was just short of 98,000 of which 30.8 per cent were children. Looking at these figures you can see why, as an organization, we are always in need of more food.
The BDFBS is located at 4748 Gilbert Road, and the telephone number is 250-672-0029. The email address is: barrierefoodbank@xplornet.com.