Monica Piercey with North Hastings Community Cupboard says Thanksgiving is about harvest, abundance and sharing.
Piercey said while everyone is thankful for a meal on the holiday weekend, it’s important to remember those who are not sitting down to celebrate the occasion.
Community cupboard staff and volunteers will be at No Frills and Foodland from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday for a fundraiser and food drive.
“We’ll be handing out wish lists of our most desired items, or things we’re most in need of at this time and greeting people. So we just invite people when they’re out doing their shopping to come by, say hi to us, and, while they’re doing their shopping, to look at our list, too, and consider adding some of those things to the donation carts at both stores. And we’ll also have someone on hand with a donation jar if you prefer to toss in a few dollars.”
Officials at the community cupboard say food bank and meal program numbers are continually climbing and they need support to keep up with ever-growing needs.
In September, community cupboard meal program numbers increased 25 per cent over the same month last year and food bank numbers for the month increased more than 17 per cent year-over-year.
The biggest uptick in new food bank clients are seniors and working families.
About 1,000 meals are also provided to the community each month.
Piercey says something can be done to combat those climbing statistics.
“Let’s share.”
