Community Food Bank changing

The Community Food Bank has been growing tremendously in importance to the community over the last few years especially, and will continue to grow as the economy toughens.

The Cramahe Community Food Bank has been around for many years, operating twice a month out of the United Church here in Colborne with the ongoing support of the Legion especially, various other organizations from time-to-time, and members of the community at large. We are also privileged in this community to have developed in the last six years or so the support of the Milk For Moms Program, the NeighborLink Meat and Milk program, and of course the Food4All Warehouse located in the industrial park just up the road from us.

When it started many years ago having half a dozen households attend Food Bank opening was a big event, but as times have gotten tougher more and more families have found it necessary to seek assistance in providing food for their tables. We are now seeing between 40 and 45 households at each of our regularly scheduled openings, and follow up on several calls a month for assistance in between openings. We currently have over 160 households registered with us, with more joining each week. This trend is only going to increase over the few years as individual family financial situations are impacted by the global economic crisis.

Despite the fact that word of mouth is a tremendously viable new network in this community, and the fact that we have notices posted in all the key gathering points around town, we know that there are still households that may need our assistance who have no idea where or how to access food. By publicising our schedule (see posting below) we may be able to reach at least some of those people.

We are looking at increasing our official number of openings, perhaps by adding afternoons or evenings to our current schedule for easier access to those who are working. We have some plans in the works but have not yet finalized them. We will keep you posted on that aspect.

If you have any questions, or need any clarification on anything please feel free to contact me at any time.

Pamela Frederick-Taylor
Co-ordinator
Cramahe Community Food Bank
(905)355-1338