September is Hunger Action Month - and the timing couldn't be more a propros.
Representatives from the Burlington Food Bank and many of its partners were on hand for a flag-raising ceremony at City Hall this morning (Sept. 5) to kick off the month long awareness campaign, which comes as the local agency wraps up its busiest month on record.
Burlington Food Bank executive director Robin Bailey was emotional as he shared that 2,300 clients, or 900 households, accessed the food bank in August – a record-setting number.
“We are only scratching the surface,” he said, noting those are just the clients making their way to that particular bank, and there could be many more people going hungry who just haven’t visited a food bank.
The good news is that “we still have food,” he said, adding they are making some infrastructure changes to target more people.
“Working together to sustain people, we can reach all corners of Burlington to get the help in your community,” Bailey said. He thanks volunteers from the Compassion Society and Food for Life, partners who are helping feed more people.
“I wish that there wasn’t as many people hungry, but I invite those that are struggling to visit and use those agencies who want to help you,” said Bailey.
Hunger Action month is a way to address food insecurity in the community and is a chance for people to come together to celebrate the collective efforts of the city.
The Burlington Food bank invites people to get involved by holding food drives, volunteering their time, and spreading the word.
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward said the Burlington Food Bank helps make her job easier.
“It’s a valuable service that contributes to and enriches the quality of life in the city,” she said, adding that everyone knows the cost of living is increasing, but people are grateful that the food bank is available. “I wish it didn’t have to be, but it is there to help whomever needs it, without discrimination, and in a way that doesn’t make people feel bad.”
Meed Ward said that the Burlington City Crest has "Stand By" as its motto, and that is true of its citizens.
“We have seen how Burlington residents step up when called to service,” she said.
Burlington Food Bank recently got the keys to its new warehouse space at 5280 Mainway, where they will have an online inventory system in place to allow its partner agencies to see exactly what is available at any given time. They expect it to be operational by January. As well, the facility recently accessed a Trillium grant to add refrigeration to its delivery truck, allowing them to provide more nutritious items to more community agencies.
The Burlington Food Bank is a member of Feed Ontario, a network of food banks and hunger-relief organizations that meet the growing need across the province.
Any resident of Burlington can use the Burlington Food Bank, and simply needs to register by showing photo ID with a Burlington address.
To learn more go to https://www.burlingtonfoodbank.ca/
For those who would like to donate, The Burlington Food Bank provides fresh and non-perishable food, as well as supplies such as diapers, toiletries and cleaning supplies to its own clients and to more than 20 emergency food programs across the city.
Current list of most-needed items
Cereal (hot and cold)
Large soup
Juice (boxes and 1 litre size)
Granola bars (peanut free)
Peanut butter
Crackers
Canned fruit
Canned tomatoes
Canned vegetables
Baked beans
