Late summer and early fall is often a challenging time for Canora鈥檚 Filling the Gap Food Bank. Unfortunately, operations have been suspended for the most part since the middle of August due to low stocks and a lack of contributions, said Brett Watson, chairman of the Canora Ministerial Association, which oversees operations.
The plan is to reopen on September 1 in time for the new school year, if stocks can be sufficiently replenished.
Watson said late August and early September is usually extremely busy at Filling the Gap.
鈥淔amilies are gearing up for school and spending money on school supplies,鈥� he said. 鈥淪ometimes they don鈥檛 have enough money left over to buy food, especially those families on assistance.鈥�
Watson said there is no real off season for the food bank, the need is there 52 weeks a year. During busy seasons, it鈥檚 not unusual to get as many as six to eight hamper requests in a week.
There is a good supply of pasta on the shelves right now, but a need exists for many other items.
Food items in need include: soups, pasta sauces, Kraft dinners, breakfast cereals, cookies and canned vegetables. Most garden produce is welcome this time of year, especially root vegetables such as potatoes, onions and carrots which usually last longer on the shelves.
There is a need for many non-food items, including: toilet paper, laundry soap, toothpaste, shampoo, body soap, coffee and coffee filters.
Watson said cash contributions are always welcome.
鈥淚n some ways it鈥檚 even more important than food because it allows us to buy exactly what鈥檚 needed to fill out the hampers,鈥� he said.
In the past, support for the food bank has come from the groups and organizations such as the town of Canora, churches, the credit union, bank and schools. Watson said he is optimistic that support will continue.
He went on to add that the Christmas season is not that far away, which is another very busy time at Filling the Gap. By January a number of families have spent all their money on Christmas, and don鈥檛 have enough left over for food.
