A director at the Brighton Fare Share Food Bank said she’s appreciative of the help it receives from community initiatives, including the upcoming Oldies 100.9 and Rowley Electric All Hands on Deck Food Drive in Brighton and Quinte West on Thursday.
Oldies 100.9 and its community partners will collect food for Trenton’s Care and Share Food Bank and the Brighton Fare Share Food Bank from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Thursday, Aug. 26.
Food is being collected at the following grocery store locations: Chris and Angela’s No Frills, 155 Elizabeth St., Brighton; Sobeys Brighton, at 14 Main St., Brighton; and at Smylie’s Your Independent at 293 Dundas St. East, Trenton.
Emily Rowley, who’s one of seven members of the food bank’s board of directors, said the community has always gone above and beyond for those less fortunate in Brighton.
“We appreciate the support from the radio station. This community has been overwhelming with support, not just during the COVID times but before and we expect after. It has been very much appreciated by our board and by our volunteers and those who use our services as well,” said Rowley, who’s served on the food bank’s board of directors for the past 20 years.
She also says there are some staple items that are always needed.
As federal government income supports have helped fill the gaps throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the food bank hasn’t experienced a rapid increase in the numbers of those using its service, said Rowley.
“We have been pretty steady with our numbers this year. With the extra relief programs the government has put in place it has probably given our clients a few more dollars to spend at the grocery story, so I don’t want to say the need has been overwhelming. We expect that the numbers and the need will get greater when school starts again. Hopefully people will start getting their jobs back and things like that, but we’ve held steady. Every week we have clients that require our service,” said Rowley.
She estimates that, on average each month, Fare Share helps up to 50 families, which translates into roughly 100 to 150 individuals within the Municipality of Brighton. Fare Share serves only those who live within the municipality and requires proof of residence.
What are the food items the food bank currently needs? Rowley said that especially at this time of year, anything kids can take to school are back in demand, including snack bars, fruit cups, juice boxes, hot and cold cereal, and peanut butter.
The food bank, said Rowley, tries to provide as much fresh fruit, vegetables as it can. The staple foods provided to clients includes meat, eggs, bread, margarine and cheese.
“That’s part of the basic package and that is included all the time. We work hard to provide the fresh stuff as well,” she said.
The Brighton Fare Share Food Bank, located at 39A Elizabeth St., is open on the first, second, fourth and fifth Monday of the month from 9 a.m. until noon. On the third Monday of the month it’s open in the evening from 6 to 8 p.m.
