Skip to content

Garden surplus for hungry families

Summer food donations needed urgently due to food bank summer closure

The South Cariboo Food Security Committee has put out a plea for food donations to support the hungry families and individuals in need this summer.

The committee is working on finding and developing ways to improve food security in the South Cariboo for both the short term and the long-term.

Both local gardeners with extra produce in their plots, and the general public through non-perishable donations are being asked to help with this food crisis.

Committee member Rita Giesbrecht says children, youth and families are challenged daily in having enough to eat, especially nutritious food.

The numbers of families at need in the community is increasing, she explains, as the committee is working to support the organizations that provide emergency food.

"Part of our mandate is to improve the food and the quality of food for the families at risk."

These agencies are reporting a huge need, Giesbrecht says, adding providing this food isn't their main function, but rather a role they have fallen into.

After the 100 Mile House Food Bank closes and reverts to its summer emergency service, and the children are out of school for the break, this becomes especially difficult, she notes.

"We are told that the need has reached crisis proportions. Exacerbating the problem is the closure of the food bank in summer months, and the absence of school lunch programs."

Families depend on community programs and school breakfasts and lunches for providing or supplementing meals, so there are fewer sources of food for those who need them.

Folks can help by dropping off non-perishables, vegetables or fruit at other local service organizations that depend on those contributions to help fill the summertime gap.

Public donations are needed for food programs at Loaves and Fishes, 100 Mile & District Women’s Centre and Cariboo Family Enrichment Centre with non-perishable donations, such as tuna, pasta, spaghetti sauce and beans.

Fresh produce from gardens can be dropped off at Loaves and Fishes on Wednesdays and Cariboo Family Enrichment Centre on Thursdays, or at the Agri-Culture Enterprise Centre (call all ahead for hours).

Local families appreciate and need fruit and vegetables for healthy meals and snacks, as good nutrition can set them onto the right path to wellness.

Those of us who have no difficulty in eating regularly might consider reaching out to those who don't, Giesbrecht says.

"This problem is absolutely fixable. I consider it a travesty that there are families going hungry in the midst of abundance."

For more information, or to drop off donations, contact Rusty Martin at Loaves and Fishes, 250-395-2708; Sylvia Peniuk at 100 Mile House & District Women’s Centre, 250-395-4093; Debbra Williams at Cariboo Family Enrichment Centre, 250-395-5155; or Margaret Perry at Agri-Culture Enterprise Centre, 778-482-2216.

For more information about the South Cariboo Food Security Committee, contact Lisa De Paoli at 250-395-5155 or Rita Giesbrecht at 250-791-6631.