If you are looking for an idea for lunch, you can get your fill and help make a significant impact on food security in the community. The Great Plains Taste of Summer Charity BBQ is set for this Thursday, and the Weyburn Salvation Army Food Bank, the event's beneficiary, is facing a period of critical need.
The barbecue will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Memorial Park, located beside City Hall. For just $3, those who come out will get a hot dog, a bag of chips, and a bottle of water, with all proceeds going directly to the Weyburn Salvation Army Food Bank.
Nicole Strickland, Community Services Worker with the Weyburn Salvation Army, said the timing for the fundraiser couldn't be better, as summer and early autumn are when supplies run low.
“Right now, it's very important,” Strickland explained. “Our summer months, our shelves are very bare, and it seems July, August, September, into October is when we are the most in need.”
That seasonal challenge is compounded by a steady increase in demand for the food bank's services. The organization is currently assisting an average of 50 households per week. To meet this growing need, the food bank has expanded its operations from four days a week to five and increased its daily appointment slots from seven to ten.
While food donations are always welcome, monetary contributions from events like the charity barbecue are especially effective. Strickland noted that cash donations provide the flexibility to purchase exactly what is needed most to fill the shelves. This is vital as the food bank now focuses on providing healthier options for its clients.
"Now that we are 80 per cent fresh and 20 per cent non-perishable, it makes a big difference with our monthly budgets," she said. The hope is to do even more, as Strickland added they would love to offer more fresh vegetables and fruit than they currently can.