SPECIAL APPEAL
Updated Oct. 24, 2010
As stated on the main food bank page of our website, the Lansing United Church Food Bank has been serving the greater North York Community since 1984. Over the past 25 years, we have seen the need for the food bank increase slowly. By the end of 2006, we were helping on average 400 families per month, or 900 people. By the end of 2007, we were holding steady at these numbers. Serving such numbers of families was manageable as the amount of actual donated food, coupled with a reasonable budget of about $1800 per month to purchase food kept pace with the number of people needing assistance.
With the ongoing
economic conditions our country and the world are now facing, we have seen a
steady and sharp increase in the number of new clients now turning to food
banks for help. Since January 1st, 2010 to the end of September, we
have registered 350 new families
representing 900 new people
which is 8 times higher than in the past few years for the same period of time
and there appears to be no end in sight. This new influx of needy people has
now pushed our monthly number to be near 700 families or 1500 people served at
As a result, the amount of food that we need to provide has also significantly increased. Our estimates now show us that we will dispense nearly 8 tons of food each month. Donations of actual food items from individuals, supporting churches and organizations has decreased over the past 6 months for a variety of reasons, but even at past levels, this alone cannot sustain the needs of so many people. In order to continue to provide some service to these clients, we had to make a difficult decision and change our operations so that clients can now only use the food bank ONCE each month. Our current forecast show us that we will need to purchase each month more than $3,000 worth of food items to be able to continue to provide this reduced level of support as we did just 12 months ago. Compare this to November of last year, our average monthly purchases was near $1600.
Even at reduced service levels, at this current rate which we anticipate will continue for at least another year, we expect our financial resources will be exhausted by the end of this year and will need to make some serious changes, none of which are pleasant. Such options may include: further reduction in the number of times a client can visit the food bank; reduce the amount of food each family receives per visit; eliminating some basic food items entirely; closing our doors for long periods of time; or in the worse case, close our doors entirely.
We are well aware that in today’s world, many worthy charitable organizations are seeking increased contributions to help in their cause, whether it be for cancer related research or other medically related causes, shelters for the homeless or abused, hospitals, children programs, or in our situation, one of the most basic human needs – the need to eat. What has not been said to this point is that 20% of our clients are children under the age of 12 who, without the Food Bank, would go to bed or school hungry.
This letter is
therefore a special plea to anyone who may be reading it. The Lansing Food Bank
needs your help and that of your family, friends and neighbors. We need either
of two things: actual food donations; or financial donations so we can purchase
food items. In consideration for financial donations,
Another way to help out is by way of a garden. If you already grow vegetables in a garden, or plan to this year, perhaps if you would set aside just a couple of square meters of space to grow food for the Food Bank. The best items are those that are easy to handle and can be stored easily for longer periods of time such as: carrots, green beans, potatoes, onions or cucumbers. Items like tomatoes while appreciated can go soft and mushy quickly and our refrigeration space is limited. And it would be a great family activity with children to get them involved in a humanitarian cause. If you are not physically able to grow a vegetable garden, but do have the space in your yard, perhaps you would allow other family members, friends, church members or neighbors to make a garden in your yard. Think of it – a family, neighborhood or church garden for the food bank. Many hands make for light work and a great social sharing of spirit. Or perhaps you have an apple or other fruit tree on your property. How often have you seen their fruits just fall to the ground, and been wasted because there is more than you need? Why not pick, wash and deliver them to the Food Bank? Every good apple counts. While these are seasonal foods, monies we can save in the fall by not having to purchase vegetables or fruits can be better used in the colder months.
Now is the time to become involved, not later. Won’t you please help those in the greatest need for one of the basics of human life. Please donate food, grow vegetables or make a financial contribution so we can keep our doors open and give a ray of hope to those who go hungry.
Sincerely,
The volunteers of Lansing United Church Food Bank