Healthy Food

Amid surging demand, London food bank spring drive made a strong start

Posted on by Rahma

London Food Bank’s spring food drive is off to a strong start on its opening weekend, an annual campaign that comes on the heels of the agency’s busiest month ever.

The drive brought in 6,035 kilograms of food and cash equivalents Saturday and Sunday, up more than 1,100 kg from the same period a year ago, food bank co-director Jane Roy said.

“It’s so tough nowadays for so many people. When you look at how many people are coming here, it’s huge,” Roy said Sunday. “When and if people can give it is most needed and most welcome.”

The spring food drive has brought in $22,986 in financial contributions so far, a sum that gets converted to food at its reporting rate of $3.61 a pound.

The impressive start comes as the food bank grapples with record demand as inflation and other economic pressures ratchet up costs for families. The agency has supported an average of 4,941 families a month so far this year, up 40.8 per cent increase from a year ago.

In March, more than 5,000 families sought the food bank’s support, Roy said: “It’s the highest it’s ever been.”

In 2022, 36 per cent of food bank clients were first-timers, up from 28 per cent in 2021.

The 36th annual food drive, which kicked off Friday, runs until April 10. Non-perishable food donations – and non-food items, such as toiletries and dish soap – can be dropped off at major London grocery stores or any fire hall.

The Easter-season drive gives the food bank and agencies it supports a much-needed boost as Christmas and Thanksgiving donations are used up.

when: March 31 to April 10

Donations: Food donations accepted at major grocery stores and London fire stations. Financial contributions can be made online at londonfoodbank.ca

Food needs: Canned vegetables and no-sugar-added fruit, canned tomatoes with no salt added, canned tuna and salmon, peanut butter, foods for gluten-free and lactose-free diets, dried vegetables (lentils, chick peas), healthy breakfast cereals.

Non-food needs: Dish soap, laundry detergent and toiletries, including deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste and menstrual hygiene products.