Why are you asking for money when the Food Bank just got major funding from the towns and from Trillium Foundation?
The municipalities gave us money to help us pay our rent until spring 2009. They have been very clear that this was ONE-TIME FUNDING.
We need sustainable funding to help pay for:
■ food we purchase
■ office supplies and utilities
■ upkeep of our freezers and other equipment
■ etc.

Why are you out campaigning this year? How did you pay for the Food Bank in the past?
This community has been generous to the food bank. Seniors, families and even school children have made contributions. We have also had grants from Empty Bowls and from service organizations. But, even so, we have been operating hand-to-mouth. Several years ago we run a special appeal because we had nothing left in the bank. Add to that the fact that both our costs and the number of clients needing our help are rising.

Are some people abusing the Food Bank’s service?
Nobody stands in line to get emergency food supplies for the fun of it. There is some abuse in every organization but we know that the great majority of neighbours who come to the Food Bank need our help. We interview all new clients and cooperate with other area services.

Shouldn’t government (the county, province or federal government) be providing this service?
We did receive some funding from the municipalities this year but they stressed that it was ONE-TIME funding. The other levels of government do not support food banks. As a member of the Ontario and Canadian Association of Food Banks we lobby for improvements to the social safety net, including funding for food banks. But in the meantime, we need to feed hungry neighbours.

Why are we giving out food to people who are on government social support?
People on social support who come to our door come for various reasons. Sometimes, for it is because they have had to pay for furnace repair and cannot make it through to the next cheque. We are there to help them put food on the table on an emergency basis.

You should be aware that a third of all the clients at the Food Bank have jobs but many of them are in one or more low-paying part-time jobs with annual incomes of $15,000 or less and no benefits. Many have seasonal jobs.

Why is the Food Bank not seeking United Way funding?
The United Way is asked to support many organizations and focuses primarily on youth, education and seniors. The majority of their grants are relatively small and would not cover our needs so we are trying to reach out to the community on our own.

Aren’t there food programs in local schools?
Yes, and they are very important. But the children need a healthy meal when they go home at night as well.