It's no secret that every food bank in the country serves a vital purpose in the communities they operate in. The Salvation Army Food Bank is no different. They'll be teaming up with Canada Post tomorrow to 'Stamp Out Hunger' and fill the food bank - a tradition that's 27 years deep in Estevan.
The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive kicks off tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. Residents are welcome to put out a bag of non-expired non-perishables on their doorstep and Canada Post workers will pick them up to be sent to the local food bank.
"It's a great partnership, and it's a great way for people who want to make a donation to the food bank, but maybe can't get down to our building. So put it out on your doorstep before 9:00 a.m. [Canada Post] will come by, they'll pick it up. They're going to bring it down to the food bank. We will sort it and we will fill our shelves," said Ronza Reynard, Community Ministries Director for Salvation Army in Estevan and Weyburn.
Reynard expressed that they'll welcome any donation during the food drive. However, here are the items that the food bank needs the most:
- soup (canned or dry)
- canned vegetables
- pasta and pasta sauce
- cereal (hot or cold)
- rice
- peanut butter
- canned meats (including canned tuna)
- toilet paper
- feminine hygiene products
If you are planning to donate cash, you can donate it at the Salvation Army in person - don't leave cash on your porch.
The food bank has been seeing a spike in use lately, Reynard says. There's been an increase in new people needing help every month in 2024. She added that people from all walks of life visit the food bank for help, from seniors, newcomers, children, parents, or single people, to name a few. The majority of people who come to the food bank, she found, are people who are working or are on fixed income.
"This could be just because life happens. Sometimes, we find ourselves in a situation and we sometimes need a little extra help. So we want to be a resource for people in our community. If we can help people [with] their situation in the moment, that's what we're here to do. As the community supports us, we're able to support those who come to us."