This year, more than ever, food insecurity is a big problem and all the Food Banks in our region find that more individuals and families need help. Madawaska Valley Food Bank is serving between 30 and 40 percent more clients than this time last year. Killaloe Food Bank reports a similar rise in numbers of clients.
If you need the Food Bank, please ask
Food Bank volunteers encourage people who worry about having enough healthy food for themselves and their families to ask for help. They recognize that it can be difficult to admit you need help, but they say that’s what Food Banks are for. MV Food Bank, like all the others, maintains strict client confidentiality. Their motto is:
WHO you see here
WHAT you hear here
And the love you receive here
LET IT STAY HERE
Madawaska Valley Food Bank now at different location
As of July 2020, the Madawaska Valley Food Bank is serving clients out of 8 Martin Street, Barry’s Bay. Yes, that is a return to the previous location that MV Food Bank left two and a half years ago, but Food Bank services are unaffected by the change, other than the location.
MV Food Bank is open on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., providing temporary food relief to individuals and families located in Barry’s Bay, Wilno, Combermere, Palmer Rapids, Madawaska, and Whitney areas. The area is defined by the 756, 758 & 637 phone exchanges. Please scroll down for other Food Banks in the region.
For the duration of the pandemic, MV Food Bank serves clients using a “drive-through” model. With as many as 100 clients at each session while operating out of a very small garage space, MV Food Bank volunteers pre-package food parcels as much as possible to make the process more efficient. Clients are asked to line up their cars on the opposite side of Martin Street from the garage when they arrive, facing Hwy 60/Opeongo Line. As usual, volunteers will direct traffic and drivers are asked to please not park in the driveway.
Volunteer Terry Newcombe (pictured above) says MV Food Bank plans to build a shed to help alleviate crowding inside the garage especially as they expect their already tight space to be exceeded later this month because of food parcel assistance from Feed Canada. They hope to get a grant for the shed project and are grateful for a cash donation of $500 from the Madawaska Valley Lions Club towards the cost. In the short term, volunteers have planned alternative storage for pre-packed boxes. MV Food Bank expresses thanks to everyone who helped with the move including the garage owner Eve’s Escape Spa, Home Hardware Building Centre for their donation of a new vinyl floor in the building, and as always their faithful roster of amazing Food Bank volunteers. To volunteer, donate or contact Madawaska Valley Food Bank please email mvfoodbank@gmail.com
Killaloe Food Bank in new premises
MV Food Bank isn’t the only one in new premises; as of last month Killaloe Food Bank began operating out of 12 North Street (back door), Killaloe. They are now located next door to Buried Treasures (presently closed due to COVID-19), and are grateful for the support they have received from their landlord the Community Resource Centre (CRC) in Killaloe. Volunteer Dan Harrington points out that their new location is very central in Killaloe, and it offers improved accessibility with automatic doors and no stairs. Thanks to generous donors and plenty of food resources from Feed Canada, they are able to assist local people suffering from food insecurity. Harrington said that pre-COVID the Killaloe Food Bank served about 50 individuals, but now that number is nearer 90. He believes that there is a greater need in the community but he fears that residents, especially seniors, are reluctant to admit they need to visit a Food Bank. To address the perceived stigma of accepting help, the Killaloe Food Bank has instituted a delivery service. They also aim to provide grocery gift cards for clients that can be used anonymously. Please note that emergency deliveries can be arranged.
Previously the Killaloe Food Bank was closed during the summer months, but this year they have begun to open year round, on every second Tuesday from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. The summer dates in 2020 are July 14 and 28, and August 11 and 25. To donate, volunteer or contact the Killaloe Food Bank for any reason please email killaloefoodbank@gmail.com Click HERE to visit Facebook/Killaloe Food Bank.
Where are all the other Food Banks?
Food Banks serve clients whose homes are within specific geographic areas. While no one is turned away empty-handed on a first visit, new clients are asked for their address at time of registration and may be directed to attend their nearest Food Bank on future visits. The Food Banks in our region share with each other, especially since none of them has very much storage space and the minimum donation of food from Feed Ontario is usually a pallet load. Here are the six Food Banks in this region:
- BARRY’S BAY – Madawaska Valley Food Bank, 8 Martin Street, Barry’s Bay mvfoodbank@gmail.com
- COBDEN – Cobden and District Food Bank, 58 Main Street, Cobden 613.647.7801
- EGANVILLE – Eganville Food Bank, 165 John Street, Eganville eganvillefoodbank@gmail.com
- GOLDEN LAKE – Golden Lake Food Bank, 1118 Hwy. 60, Golden Lake Dale Benoit Zoir 613.635.1904
- KILLALOE – Killaloe & Area Food Bank, 12 North Street (back door), Killaloe killaloefoodbank@gmail.com
- WHITNEY – Word of Life Outreach Food Bank, 2016 Hwy. 127, Lake St. Peter info@wolo.com