Sometimes the only thing between a child enjoying a nutritious breakfast or going to school hungry is a good bank. 93.5 Moose FM is holding its 15th annual Radiothon in support of food banks in Haliburton County with a goal of raising $37,000.
JoAnne Barnes runs the Minden Community Food Centre and says she expected a busy holiday season because of the pandemic, and that is exactly what is happening.
“The number of registered families is probably 75 to 100 above normal,” says Barnes. “They don’t all come every month, but they are on the registry. We are doing 20 to 25 families each food bank day, so the numbers are up.”
Barnes says inflation is having a negative effect on those struggling to make ends meet and a trip to the grocery store is a challenge for many.
“It’s terrible for the people needing it. You can’t go into the store with much less than 50 dollars,” she says. “That is causing a lot of desperation on families.”
Barnes adds the food bank can keep up with the demand for now, but food is flying off the shelves in the warehouse and that is a worry.
The Radiothon isn’t just raising money to help those in need have a merrier Christmas, it’s also to have shelves stocked come the new year.
“After Christmas people sometimes forget about us. There is so much publicity this time of year but once it’s over people forget these people still need to eat,” says Barnes.
The Minden Community Food Center doesn’t just provide food, they also teach people about food insecurity, and provide tips to help stretch their food to last longer. The pandemic has, however, cancelled those classes.
As for anyone in Haliburton who may be sitting on the fence about making a donation, Barnes has some wide words. “When we are relaxing in our warm house having our morning coffee, just remember there are people who don’t have either so please think of others and make a donation, big or small, it all helps.”
There are several food banks in Haliburton County and the money raised gets distributed to each one on a proportional basis.
The Radiothon runs Dec. 9 and 10 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. To make your cash donation call 705-457-3897.