With cottagers returning, Victoria Day weekend is considered one of the busiest times of year in Bancroft. People who run food banks hope that will translate into donations that can help them shock shelves to get through the summer.
Donations will be solicited at the Bancroft No Frills and Foodland on Saturday, May 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. They’ll be split between North Hastings Community Cupboard and small food banks in Coe Hill, Maynooth and the Lake St. Peter area.
Monica Piercey with Community Cupboard says food banks have seen increased demand since the onset of the pandemic. Now inflation is limiting people’s ability to afford food, too.
“Need is still high. We’re still registering new people,” she says. “People are saying I can’t believe how expensive everything is; I can’t afford anything anymore.”
“That’s not just food. It’s fuel for their vehicles. It’s utility bills. It’s everything.”
People can donate cash or food items on Saturday. Piercy says Community Cupboard is in need of volunteers, too. For more information on food bank programs visit Community Cupboard’s website.