A local food bank is putting a call out for donations during the holiday season and beyond.
According to the Executive Director of Chatham Outreach For Hunger, the food bank's shelves are running low.
Brenda LeClair said although the organization is able to meet the needs of those coming in for food, they are not meeting them in a way they would normally be. According to LeClair, this is largely in part to the cancellation of annual food drives due to COVID-19.
"Normally we'd be in very good shape because typically our Thanksgiving food drives right thru to Christmas are a tremendous help to us and really put us in a position where we know that we will give everybody what they need going into the holiday season," she said.
Because of the impacts of the pandemic, LeClair said the need for help in Chatham-Kent has greatly increased.
In 2019, Outreach For Hunger recorded 3066 visits to the food bank. LeClair said over the last nine months, the organization has had days where they see double the amount of people that would normally come in for food.
She added that there's also been a noticeable increase in how many families are now accessing the food bank.
"It's disturbing when I look at how many families are coming in every month who never thought they would need to use a food bank," she said.
The Gift, a municipal-wide initiative, was recently held with volunteers collecting tens of thousands of donations from residents across Chatham-Kent.
However, because people were encouraged to donate a wide variety of items including toys, LeClair said the food bank got fewer items than they may have been anticipating.
"We had hoped that we would [get more food]. That being said, The Gift did a tremendous job of getting food out where it was needed and reaching people out in the community that needed that kind of support... While we maybe didn't get what some people think we got, we're happy with the results in the end," said LeClair. "To get more toys than canned goods, that's just wonderful for anyone doing Christmas hampers... The real goal at Christmastime is to look after the kids."
Although the holidays are a popular time for people to donate to area food banks, LeClair said that the demand doesn't stop once people ring in the new year. She's also factoring in the need after the holidays are over and working to ensure that the organization has a surplus of food heading into the rest of the winter.
"Once Christmas is over, people still have to be fed," she said. "They're not looking for that holiday basket anymore. They're just looking for basic needs. So that's really where my focus is right now, to not only get through Christmas but to make sure when Christmas is over with, people are still going to be fed."
LeClair said that Outreach For Hunger appreciates anything and everything when it comes to donations. However, she does encourage foods that are nutritionally balanced and foods that are high in protein such as canned meat and peanut butter. Other recommendations include canned fruit, oatmeal, fruit juice and items that take into account dietitian restrictions including low-sugar and gluten-free foods.
Stuff The Sleigh, a drive-thru drop off station for Outreach For Hunger, will be held on December 17 from 6-10 a.m. at the Blackburn Radio office at 117 Keil Dr. in Chatham.
For anyone unable to attend Stuff The Sleigh, LeClair said donations can be dropped off at the Outreach For Hunger office at 10 Wellington Street West, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.
"Whatever you're able to give, it's more than we were able to start the day out with," said LeClair. "There's no donation that's too small. One can [of food] will make a difference to someone."
