On another note the Chamber recently donated $1,000 to help with the influx of requests for assistance at the Clarington East Food Bank. While we understand we are all looking at being more careful with this disruption of normal business, we must remember there are many in much worse situations and many more will need assistance to feed their families. Please be aware of any seniors in your neighborhood that may need help with getting groceries, prescriptions etc.
We have included a portion of the article from the Orono Times highlighting how you can donate whatever you can afford. Every little bit helps. Stay safe!
Karen Fisher, Board Chair, states, “While we have generous donors year-round, there is recognition that accessing our Food Bank will be greater during this difficult time. We have started seeing online donations increase over the last week which will help us meet the demands we anticipate in the coming weeks and months.
"Donations will help us stock our shelves with specific items that we can buy at wholesale or bulk discounts.” Please visit Clarington East Food Bank website (www.claringtoneastfoodbank.ca) to make an online Canada Helps donation".
To put things in perspective, CEFB served 30 families from March 1 to March 18, 2020. With the COVID-19 outbreak, March 19, 2020 brought 23 families to the Food Bank. Most clients were current, some were returning for assistance and several were new clients.
“This situation will have an impact on non-perishable donations for sure”, says Sonya Pratt, Coordinator for CEFB. “For those still wishing to drop off food donations, please do so at either the Newcastle Foodland or Newcastle No Frills designated bins. This will allow us to limit social interaction at our Food Bank location. At the moment, there is an abundance of packaged pasta and pasta sauce. Current needs are canned fruit, canned vegetables, canned pasta, tuna, salmon, peanut butter and jam. All donations are greatly appreciated.”
