With shelves running low and demand remaining high, the Salvation Army Food Bank in Estevan is turning to the community for support as the Fill the Truck Food Drive returns tomorrow.
“This is very important,” said Ronza Reynard, community ministries director with the Salvation Army. “We really do enjoy partnering with other people and groups in our community, and so for somebody to want to partner with us and say, ‘Hey, let us help you get that food bank filled,’ we find that to be awesome.”
Reynard said the organization had a successful Christmas season and was hopeful the supplies would last into spring, but the stock is once again low.
“It came pretty close,” she said. “We did obviously have to go out and get some more stuff, so the shelves are getting a little low again. This comes at a perfect time to refill the shelves, and we’re looking forward to it.”
Roughly 300 individuals have accessed the food bank each month so far this year.
“We kind of ended last year around that same amount, and we’re still seeing people who are new to the food bank accessing our services,” said Reynard. “That’s why it’s important that we’re here—and we’re here to help.”
She noted that anytime the community can rally together to donate and get the food bank through another few months, it’s a great thing.
“We all know the cost of groceries keeps going up, and so that helps us not have to buy any packaged stuff. Weekly, we go and buy all the fresh stuff, but that’s what the food drive does—it really helps to fill the shelves with all of our non-perishables.”
For those who may not be sure what to donate, the food bank recommends items like peanut butter, soup, rice, pasta, canned pasta sauce, hot or cold cereal, canned meats, tuna, vegetables and beans.
“Cereal is a big thing—we run through cereal so fast, and that is very high on our priority list,” said Reynard.
Premade hampers are also available to purchase at the food drive.
“It’ll be helpful because then people can come in—if they don’t want to go shop and buy something—they can just purchase one of those premade hampers,” she said. “It’s very handy for those who want to donate.”
She added that the hampers are available throughout the year.
“I think that each time we have a food drive, I find that it’s almost overwhelming—the support that we get,” said Reynard. “We’re never sure what’s going to happen, and we’ve seen it with lots of fundraisers in our community. When there’s a need and the community finds a way they can help, they just jump on board with that support.”
Reynard said both food and monetary donations are welcome year-round.
“If people are out shopping, they see something on sale and think, ‘Hey, the food bank can use it,’ they can purchase it and drop it off right at our store,” she said.
She added they are happy to accept fresh produce, with one caveat.
“All we ask is that if you get it out of the ground, bring it to us. We will do all the cleaning of it. We just don’t want anyone doing any kind of processing, because we can’t take it if it’s been canned or anything like that. But we will definitely take any extras people have.”
Reynard also reminded those in need to reach out.
“It is a very seamless process to get help from us,” she said. “Just give us a call at the office, set up an appointment, and we try to get everybody in within a couple of days. Because of how busy we are, sometimes it takes a couple of days. So we like people to call ahead—don’t wait until there’s nothing left in the cupboard. Try to plan ahead a little bit.”
Reynard thanked the businesses behind the food drive.
“We want to thank Golden West, Southern Plains Co-op and Murray GM for doing the Fill the Truck food drive,” she said.