It's not Christmas or Thanksgiving, traditional holidays when we all reflect and give thanks for the family, friends and gifts that sustain us. So in the summer time when we are out enjoying the wonderful weather, the idea of helping out the food bank probably is not in our minds.
But the need is great all year long, and this year is no different.
The Sunshine Coast Food Bank is in dire need this summer. The cupboards are bare as is evident in the photo Sunshine Coast Community Services shared with us this week. And while donations are low, the demand remains the same. So many people in our community rely on the food bank every week.
Food costs are on the rise for all of us. Many who are fortunate to make enough to ensure they have food on the table might not worry too much when they head to the grocery store and fill up their shopping carts. But others in our community are not so fortunate.
According to Stats Canada, food prices in Canada rose almost eight per cent in the last three years. This has not only made it more difficult for the food bank to keep its shelves full, but has impacted many people in the community whose grocery bills have steadily increased. It costs $868.42 per month on average to feed a family of four in B.C. according to the latest report from the dieticians of Canada.
The food bank needs staple items like soups, peanut butter, canned meats and fish. Produce from your garden is always welcome. Do you have fruit trees and want to pick the fruit to keep the bears away? Why not donate it to the food bank? And money will never be turned down by the organization, as they use those funds to purchase foodstuffs themselves.
So open up your hearts and help if you can.
Books for Bella Bella
And while you are helping out the food bank here on the Coast, think about helping out another community in B.C., as well.
On July 12, fire destroyed a building in Bella Bella that housed the post office, general store and library. As you can imagine, the loss was devastating for this tiny community.
The fine folks at the Festival of the Written Arts, which opens Aug. 15 in Sechelt, have put out the call for donations of books - in a range of genres - to restock and help rebuild the library. Books can be donated during the festival weekend (Aug. 15 to 18) at the festival office on Shorncliffe Avenue in Sechelt. See details on page 32.
So dig deep, Sunshine Coast. This community has a generous heart, a wonderful soul and a spirit of giving that we know will help a lot of people.
